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Over a dozen children missing after Myanmar boat accident

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  • Over a dozen children missing after Myanmar boat accident
  • October 21, 2024
  • Article Body Text <p><a href="https://www.rfa.org/burmese/news/palaw-boat-capsized-10212024014559.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Read RFA coverage of this topic in Burmese. </span></a></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A boat carrying 70 people off the coast of southern Myanmar overturned on Sunday night and eight people were confirmed dead and 17 were missing, including children heading back to school after a holiday, a rescue worker told Radio Free Asia. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The crowded ferry capsized when it encountered strong currents soon after setting off from the island village of Kyauk Kar, bound for Myeik town to the south in the Tanintharyi region, said a resident of the area who declined to be identified due to </span><a href="https://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/internet-as-bad-as-china-freedom-house-report-10162024113128.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">media restrictions</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> imposed by military authorities.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We only managed to recover eight bodies last night. There are a lot still missing,” said the rescue worker who also declined to be identified. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"There are also survivors. We don’t know the exact list. Right now, it’s chaos.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Boat accidents are common in Myanmar, both on its many </span><a href="https://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/yangon-boat-capsizes-07102024053812.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">rivers</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and off its coasts. Hundreds of commuters, </span><a href="https://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/golden-triangle-laos-boat-accident-09032024071438.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">migrant workers</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and </span><a href="https://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/rohingya-refugees-drown-08212024065411.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">refugees</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> have been involved in accidents this year.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The resident said students heading back to school after the Thadingyut holiday, along with their parents and others displaced by </span><a href="https://www.rfa.org/burmese/news/myeik-palaw-battle-vehicle-stuck-10212024023321.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">recent conflict</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> in the area, were among the victims of the accident that occurred as the ferry was passing through a channel known for treacherous currents.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“From Kyauk Kar there’s … the opening of the ocean where the current is too strong,” one resident said.  “When the current was too rough, due to the boat’s position and because it was top heavy, it overturned.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The eight people found dead were identified as seven women between the ages of 16 and 60, and a three-month-old boy, residents said. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to a rescue committee, 47 people survived while 17 children were unaccounted for. Residents and civil society organizations were searching for more victims.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The military has not published any information about the accident, and calls by RFA to Tanintharyi region’s junta spokesperson, Thet Naing, went unanswered. </span></p> <hr/> <p><b>RELATED STORIES</b></p> <p><a href="https://www.rfa.org/english/news/vietnam/typhoon-yagi-asia-storm-09082024223624.html">Scores killed by Asia’s most powerful storm of the year</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/yangon-boat-capsizes-07102024053812.html">Eight missing after boat accident in Myanmar's Yangon</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/golden-triangle-laos-boat-accident-09032024071438.html">16 Myanmar workers missing in Golden Triangle boat accident </a></p> <hr/> <p><b><i>Translated by Kiana Duncan. Edited by RFA Staff. </i></b></p>
  • Content Type Text
  • Language English
  • NewsML Media Topics Arts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
  • Subtitles / Dubbing Available No
  • Rights Facebook: Sundara
  • Network VOA
  • Embargo Date October 21, 2024 06:59 EDT
  • Byline By RFA Burmese
  • Brand / Language Service Voice of America - English
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