The Myanmar Navy attacked a boat carrying Rohingya refugees in Maungdaw Township on June 9 at 10:00 p.m., resulting in the deaths of over 40 people. The boat, which was carrying 35 adults and children, capsized shortly after leaving Mongni village, heading towards Bangladesh.
Three Burmese border police officers stopped the boat just five minutes after it left and demanded a bribe of 6,000 Bangladeshi taka. Following payment of the bribe, the boat continued on its journey, only to encounter a Burmese naval ship approximately two miles ahead. The collision caused the boat to capsize and sink.
Only one woman and two men survived the ordeal, managing to return to Maungdaw. Most of the passengers were from Buthidaung Township and had fled to Bangladesh seeking medical treatment for their injuries.
At least 40 people drowned in the incident, and survivors reported seeing bodies floating in the Nat River. The survivors’ accounts have highlighted the deadly risks faced by Rohingya refugees attempting to escape violence and persecution in Myanmar.
