[Myanmar, Bangladesh] Al Jazeera - Rohingya refugee boat sinks off Bangladesh

[Picture from same article - copyright aljazeera.com, 08/11/2012 – Image AFP]

Rescue operations under way by Bangladesh coast guard after vessel carrying 110 migrants goes down en route to Malaysia.

08.11.2012. Around 85 people are missing after another boat carrying Rohingya refugees towards Malaysia sank off Bangladesh, the second such tragedy in less than a fortnight, officials have said.

Bangladesh Border Guard commander Lieutenant Colonel Zahid Hasan said the vessel was carrying around 110 passengers when it went down off early on Wednesday around 15km off the southern Cox's Bazaar coastal district.

"We have now rescued 25 survivors with the help of local fishermen and a search and rescue operation is underway," Hasan told AFP.

"The boat was heading to Malaysia illegally," he added.

Hasan confirmed that at least two of those who had been rescued were Rohingya and that they were all being kept in custody.

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