Dhaka: At least 15 people died after a boat carrying Rohingya refugees capsized in the Bay of Bengal on Tuesday, according to the Bangladesh Coastguard. The accident took place 10 km northwest of St Martin's Island.

Sixty-two people have been rescued, Lieutenant Commander Nayem ul Haque, chief of the Coastguard's St Martin's station, told bdnews24.com.

"Rescue efforts are ongoing. The naval ships are there with the members of the Coastguard," Haque said.

Coastguard officials believe that the Rohingya were on their way to Malaysia illegally but it is not yet confirmed.