By Arakan Journal Staff – October 2, 2026
Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh – The Bangladesh Navy has rescued 76 people from a wooden boat in the Bay of Bengal, including 65 people identified as victims of human trafficking and 11 people detained on suspicion of involvement in a trafficking network, according to the navy.
The rescue operation took place on Wednesday night about 81 nautical miles from St Martin’s Lighthouse, during a patrol by the Bangladesh Navy ship BNS Khalid Bin Walid, The Daily Star reported.
According to a navy press release, a fishing vessel, FV Crystal-1, initially spotted the wooden boat drifting at sea after its engine appeared to have stopped working. The crew became suspicious of their activities aboard the vessel and alerted the navy.
BNS Khalid Bin Walid then reached the location and rescued the people aboard.
The navy said water had begun entering the boat after its engine and pump malfunctioned. Navy personnel pumped out the water and brought the situation under control.
All 76 people were rescued safely and provided with first aid, food, and other humanitarian assistance, according to the navy.
Of those rescued, 65 were identified as victims of human trafficking, while 11 were detained as suspected members of a trafficking syndicate.
The navy said most of the victims had allegedly been abducted by the syndicate and held captive in remote areas of Teknaf before being taken to sea for onward transportation to Malaysia.
The seized boat was allegedly being used to transport people illegally to Malaysia by sea.
The 11 suspects and the seized boat were handed over to Teknaf Police Station for further legal action, the navy said.
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