100 missing as Bangladesh boat sinks: Coastguard

11 survivors rescued with help of local fishermen, search and rescue operation is underway, says coastguard.

DHAKA: Around 100 people are missing after a boat carrying Rohingya refugees sank off Bangladesh as it headed to Malaysia early on Wednesday, coastguard officials said.

Bangladesh Border Guard commander Lieutenant Colonel Zahid Hasan said the vessel was carrying around 110 passengers when it went down off the southwestern Cox's Bazaar coastal district.

"We have rescued 11 survivors with the help of local fishermen and a search and rescue operation is underway," Hasan told AFP.