By: Camp Correspondent
Kutupalong Refugee Camp, Cox’s Bazar — 5 July 2025 |
A heartbreaking tragedy has struck the Rohingya refugee community in Kutupalong Camp, as 14-year-old Abdullah, son of Halu Mia, was swept away by floodwaters near the Custom Road area close to the TV Tower on 4 July, during heavy monsoon rains.
Abdullah, a resident of Camp-2E (East), Block-D, lived with his father and stepmother. His mother passed away during childbirth, and he was lovingly raised by his stepmother and father, who works as a small vegetable vendor inside the camp, struggling to support the family with limited income.
Once enrolled at an NGO-run learning center, Abdullah had recently been left idle following the shutdown of educational programs in the camps due to funding cuts. On the morning of the incident, around 10:00 a.m., Abdullah went to collect spinach leaves near a stream by Custom Road to help prepare lunch for his family.
The calm stream had become a dangerous torrent due to ongoing monsoon rains. Witnesses said Abdullah slipped and was pulled into the fast-moving water while attempting to gather vegetables.
A nearby woman saw the incident unfold and shouted for help. Two young Rohingya men immediately rushed to the scene and jumped into the floodwaters in an attempt to rescue him.
“They fought the current for hours,” said an eyewitness. “They never gave up. But the water was just too strong.”
Despite their heroic efforts, the current overpowered them. After nearly three hours of struggle, they lost grip of the boy around noon. As of now, Abdullah’s body has not been recovered, and a community-wide search is still ongoing, driven by grief and hope.
The tragedy has highlighted the vulnerabilities faced by Rohingya children, particularly during the monsoon season, and the devastating impact of recent education shutdowns, which have left thousands of children idle and exposed to greater risks.
Community members are calling for urgent safety measures near flood-prone zones, and continued support to locate the missing child and assist the grieving family.
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