37 Rohingyas Detained off Sandwip Coast After Drifting at Sea for Three Days

Photo: Collected

Arakan Now | 14 March 2026

Bangladesh joint forces have detained 37 Rohingya refugees off the coast of Sandwip in Chattogram after they allegedly attempted to flee the Bhasan Char camp by sea, according to a report by The Business Standard.

The group was intercepted on the night of 13 March in the coastal area of Santoshpur Union during a joint operation conducted by the Bangladesh Navy and police.

According to police sources, local residents spotted the group around 11:30pm near Botgachhtala Ilishghat and alerted authorities. Law enforcement officers quickly arrived at the scene and took them into custody.

The detainees include eight men, six women, and 23 children and teenagers.

During preliminary questioning, the Rohingyas told police that they had paid a broker Tk5,000 each to arrange transportation to the Sitakunda coast.

According to their statements, they left Bhasan Char on Tuesday (10 March) and spent the first night in a temporary parachute shelter. On Wednesday night, they were placed on a small boat that later sank near the shore. They were subsequently transferred to another boat, which eventually ran out of fuel while still at sea.

After drifting for nearly three days, the group finally reached the Sandwip coast, where they were discovered.

The detainees also alleged that members of the broker network used weapons during the journey to extort cash, gold ornaments, and mobile phones from them.

Most of the group said they intended to travel to the Kutupalong Rohingya camp in Cox’s Bazar, where many of their relatives currently reside. One woman reportedly told authorities that she planned to travel to Rangpur for personal reasons.

According to Officer-in-Charge Zahed Noor of Sandwip Police Station, the detainees are currently being held at the Santoshpur Union Parishad office, and further action will be taken in accordance with administrative procedures.