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At Least 15 Rohingya Muslims Killed as Boat Sinks Off Coast of Bangladesh

Hai Do

   At least 15 people drowned Tuesday after an overcrowded boat carrying
   Rohingya Muslim refugees capsized and sank off the coast of Bangladesh
   .

   Commander Sohel Rana of the coast guard station on St. Martin's Island,
   Bangladesh, said the wooden boat was setting sail for Malaysia when it
   hit a coral reef in shallow water. It was packed with refugees from
   camps around Cox's Bazar.

   Fishermen alerted the coast guard, which found the vessel sinking with
   survivors swimming and crying for help. Navy divers joined the coast
   guard for the rescue operation. By nightfall, rescuers had saved 73
   people and recovered 15 bodies. Among the dead were women and children.

   Coast guard spokesman Hamidul Islam said the chance of finding
   survivors is slim, but " But added, "we are continuing the search and
   rescue operations."

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