Navy seizes trawler in deep sea with 625 people on board

Bangladesh Navy seized Monday a Myanmar flag carrying trawler in the deep sea with at least 625 people on board, including many Myanmar nationals, heading towards Malaysia illegally. A source at the Naval Headquarters told UNB that the trawler was held in the morning from the deep sea, some 130-135 nautical miles off the Teknaf coast. Replying to a question, the source, who preferred not to be named, said the detained people included both Myanmar and Bangladeshi nationals as many of them speak Bengali fluently.  Of them, at least 40 are women and children. This is the largest ever incident of human trafficking bid to Malaysia from Bangladesh using the sea route, according to a news agency. Members of the Bangladesh Navy intercepted the trawler on suspicion and arrested the crew members and its passengers, the source said. Contacted, officer-in-charge of Teknaf Police Station Mukhter Hossain said the seized trawler along with its passengers is expected to reach Teknaf coast around 10:00 am on Tuesday.