Arakan News Agency
More than 19 Rohingya families have risked their lives in an attempt to flee from Myanmar to Bangladesh, using a wooden panel made of bamboo and plastic containers.
Photographs and videos obtained by the Arakan news agency showed that at least 50 people, including women and children, from 19 families from the Don Khali beach in Maungdaw city, west of Arakan state, were on their way to Bangladesh to escape the Myanmar army operations and the attack by Buddhist extremists.
The man, who was preparing to sail, stayed for more than two months on the beach hoping to move to Bangladesh, but the poor material conditions prevented them from paying the boat owners, and suffered from lack of food and water.
The Rohingya families still expect an attack by the army or the extremists, which put them in state of permanent anxiety, which also led them to make a boat from wooden plank of bamboo stems and plastic bags to help them sail.
The man pointed out that a number of families had prepared to board but could not because of the increased numbers of people and fear of drowning, now who are waiting to cross into Bangladesh.
According to Bangladeshi media, the plank arrived safely at the shore, carrying 17 men, 13 women and 22 children, who were assisted by the Bangladeshi authorities.
Observers said that the lack of rains was a factor in the success of this primitive plan for transit.
Hundreds of refugees have died in the Naf River as they were crossing fishing boats due to high waves or the boat’s load since August when Myanmar troops launched a campaign against Rohingya Muslims.
https://twitter.com/arakanana99/status/928677111883292673
https://twitter.com/arakanana99/status/928264436950978560
