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Local authorities have confirmed that efforts will be made to repatriate the group to Myanmar once weather conditions improve. Teknaf Upazila Executive Officer Sheikh Ehsan Uddin confirmed the incident to Prothom Alo, stating, “We informed the district administration and relevant authorities after learning about the situation through local representatives. Law enforcement agencies have visited the site and taken necessary measures.”
Foyezul Islam, acting chairman of Saint Martin’s Union Parishad, told Prothom Alo, “The trawler carrying the Rohingya arrived at the northern beach of the island around noon. Five of them are from one family, and seven of the remaining 15 are boatmen. They sought shelter on the shore to save their lives due to rough seas.”
According to Islam, the Rohingya reported fleeing Myanmar due to ongoing conflict between government forces and the Arakan Army, a rebel group. Some of them were previously imprisoned in Myanmar and decided to flee after their release. However, their trawler was driven to Saint Martin’s Island by stormy seas.
Local residents spotted the trawler and informed law enforcement. A Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) team rescued the group and provided temporary shelter in a hotel room. The Union Parishad arranged food for them, and they are currently under BGB custody.
Multiple sources indicate that conflict between Myanmar’s government forces and the Arakan Army in Rakhine State began in February 2024. By December 8, 2024, after 11 months of fighting, the Arakan Army gained control of approximately 80% of Rakhine, including Maungdaw. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), around 150,000 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh in the past 18 months due to this conflict.
Efforts to contact BGB and Coast Guard stations in Saint Martin’s Island for further details were unsuccessful.
