New Delhi: In a tragic incident, eight occupants of a ship carrying 90 Rohingya refugees—initially from Myanmar however who had sought shelter in Bangladesh—died resulting from “extreme situations” on board after the boat drifted at sea following engine failure on February 15. India on Thursday night stated that after it learnt of the boat in misery, it “instantly dispatched two coast guard ships to offer meals, water and medical help to the occupants of the boat”, with “seven of them” being “administered IV fluids”. New Delhi added that it was “in discussions with the Authorities of Bangladesh to make sure their (survivors’) secure and safe repatriation”.
On Thursday night, MEA Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava stated, “From the knowledge now we have, on 11 February 2021, a ship sailed from Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh carrying 64 girls together with 8 younger women and 26 males together with 5 younger boys. The engine of the boat failed on February 15 and since then it has been drifting. Because of the extreme situations, we perceive that 8 occupants have died and one of many occupants has been lacking since February 15.”
The MEA added, “Once we learnt of the boat in misery, we instantly dispatched two coast guard ships to offer meals, water and medical help to the occupants of the boat. Seven of them had been administered IV fluids. We perceive that round 47 of the occupants of the boat are in possession of ID playing cards issued to them by UNHCR workplace in Bangladesh stating that they’re displaced Myanmar nationals and individual of concern to UNHCR registered by the Authorities of Bangladesh. We’re in discussions with the Authorities of Bangladesh to make sure their secure and safe repatriation.”
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