Police rescued 15 people, including two Rohingya and 13 Bangladeshi nationals, from a site in Teknaf late on Tuesday after they had been gathered there for trafficking to Malaysia by sea.

The raid took place at about 8 pm in Kachhapia, part of Baharchhara union in Cox’s Bazar district, police said. A team from the Baharchhara police investigation centre acted on a tip-off after confirming that multiple individuals had been gathered there for trafficking to Malaysia by sea.

Initial reports indicate the Bangladeshi citizens are from Chakaria and Narsingdi districts.

Police said a human-trafficking gang has long been using remote coastal areas of Teknaf to try to traffic people to Malaysia by sea. Questioning is underway to identify those involved.

“The operation is still underway,” said Saiful Islam, officer-in-charge of Teknaf police station. “Legal action will be taken against those involved.”

Preparations to hand the rescued group over to the relevant authorities are ongoing following legal procedures.