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8 Myanmar Muslims Drown While Fleei



Subject: 8 Myanmar Muslims Drown While Fleeing to Bangladesh

8 Myanmar Muslims Drown While Fleeing to Bangladesh

COX'S BAZAR, Bangladesh (Reuter) Eight Myanmar Muslims were feared drowned
when crossing a swirling border river in an attempt to reach Bangladesh,
police said Wednesday. 

They said Bangladeshi border guards recovered three bodies but five were
still missing after a boat carrying 12 "Rohingya" Muslims from Buthidaung
area of Myanmar's western Arakan Province sank in the Naf river early Tuesday.

"The accident occurred apparently because of heavy load on the small boat
ferrying the Rohingyas to Bangladesh to join thousands of other illegal
entrants, one police officer said. 

Bangladesh reported a fresh influx of Myanmar Muslims earlier this week that
the Rohingyas said was set off by a growing food shortage, unemployment and
forced labor in Arakan. 

"Some 20 to 30 families sneak in each night," said one police officer in
Cox's Bazar, which borders Arakan.

"At least 5,000 Myanmar Muslims have entered Bangladesh in the last one
month," he said on Monday.

The Daily Yomiuri
June 26, 1997
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