UNMISS Bangladesh Force Marine Unit (BANFMU) has carried out a successful rescue operation for a capsized boat and crew in Malakal on the Nile River.

The boat coming from Wau Shilluk was travelling against the tide to a landing site, close to the WFP barges for trading purposes. The wind blowing in the opposite direction to the tide, created a large wave in the river, causing the boat, already overloaded with 25 sacks of coal to capsize, according to the UNMISS spokesperson.

The Bangladeshi marine unit immediately responded with two Light Patrol Craft. “A two man crew of the capsized boat together with all its goods was about to sink, and drift away with the tide, had it not been for the swift action of BANFMU who bought the boat and crew to safety to the BANFMU jetty located approximately 600 meters from the location of the capsized boat,” the mission said.

The crew were provided with basic medical care and food, and then together with their boat towed by BANFMU Light Patrol Craft to the landing site where they were safely handed over to local boat crews.