The Bangladesh Navy has rescued 65 victims of suspected human trafficking and detained 11 alleged members of a trafficking syndicate after intercepting a distressed boat carrying 76 people in the Bay of Bengal, around 81 nautical miles off St Martin’s Island.
The operation was conducted late Wednesday night during a routine maritime patrol, with the rescued individuals reportedly being transported to Malaysia through an illegal sea route.
According to New Age, the boat was spotted by the fishing vessel FV Crystal-1, whose crew noticed suspicious activities among its passengers after approaching the vessel to provide assistance. The fishing vessel subsequently alerted the Navy.
A Navy ship, BNS Khalid Bin Walid, which was conducting patrols in the St Martin’s and adjoining maritime areas, reached the location and rescued all 76 people.
According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Friday, the wooden boat had suffered engine and pump failures, allowing water to enter and placing everyone on board at risk.
Navy personnel pumped out the water, brought the situation under control and ensured the safety of all passengers. The rescued individuals were subsequently provided with first aid, food and other humanitarian assistance.
Initial interrogation indicated that 11 people were members of a human trafficking syndicate, while the remaining 65 were victims attempting to reach Malaysia.
The Navy said most of the victims had allegedly been abducted by the trafficking network, held captive in remote areas of Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar and later taken to sea for onward transportation to Malaysia.
The boat was reportedly being used for illegal maritime passenger transportation.
The detained suspects and the seized vessel were being handed over to Teknaf Police Station for further legal proceedings. Authorities had not immediately disclosed the identities of those detained.
The operation also prevented a potential maritime disaster, as the vessel was taking in water following the mechanical failures, according to the Navy.
The rescue comes against the backdrop of persistent human trafficking risks along Bangladesh’s southeastern coastline, where criminal networks exploit vulnerable people through irregular maritime routes to Malaysia and other destinations in Southeast Asia.
The Bangladesh Navy said its ongoing patrol and surveillance operations aim to safeguard the country’s maritime boundaries and prevent human trafficking, smuggling and other illegal activities at sea.
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