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17 dead after Rohingya boat from Myanmar capsizes on the way to Malaysia

10 August 2023 18:43 (UTC +04:00)

Rescue teams have found at least 17 bodies on Myanmar’s shores after a Rohingya boat capsized while on its way to Malaysia on Monday, officials told CNN, APA reports.

Among the dead were 10 women and seven men – all of whom were Rohingya Muslims, said Bya Latt, a spokesperson for the Shwe Yaung Matta Foundation rescue group.

The tragedy occured near Rakhine state’s capital city Sittwe.

Eight survivors were found alive and are currently being held at a local police station, Latt added.

A Sittwe police official told CNN that the boat was transporting 58 people, including three boat drivers.

“They were met with a storm in the sea and the boat sank under huge waves,” the official said, asking not to be identified.

Joint rescue operations by local police and the rescue foundation are ongoing with 33 still missing.

The victims were from various townships including Rathedaung, Maungdaw and Buthidaung, the police official said.