76 Bangladeshis rescued at sea off St Martin’s coast

The operation was detailed in a press release issued by the Navy on Thursday (October 1) night.

According to Navy sources, a fishing vessel named FV Crystal-1, operating approximately 81 miles off the St. Martin's Lighthouse, spotted the disabled trawler drifting at sea. Upon approaching to offer assistance, the crew grew suspicious of several individuals onboard and alerted the Navy.

A Navy patrol craft dispatched to the location safely rescued all 76 occupants from the distressed vessel, which was taking on water due to failed engines and bilge pumps.

Preliminary interrogation identified 11 of the rescued individuals as active members of an international human trafficking network, who were immediately taken into custody. The remaining 65 individuals were identified as victims lured with false promises of employment in Malaysia.

Navy officials disclosed that a majority of the victims had been abducted and held captive in remote areas of Teknaf before being loaded onto the sea vessel bound for Malaysia.