Myanmar, Bangladesh evacuate thousands ahead of cyclone
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Yangon - Myanmar and Bangladesh evacuated thousands of people from coastal areas as Cyclone Mahasen increased in strength offshore, authorities and news reports said Wednesday.
Myanmar said it evacuated 166,644 people in its Rakhine State, including 27,341 refugees from last year's sectarian fighting.
Bangladesh had also evacuated low-lying areas and closed two airports and a port, a news report and officials said.
In Myanmar, almost 60 Rohingya refugees were still missing at sea after at least two boats sank while carrying a group from the coastal town of Pauktaw to a new camp.
Authorities said the refugees had left without their permission and against their warnings of travelling by sea at night.
"We rescued 42 people and 58 are still missing and may be dead," said Ye Htut, a minister from the president's office.//DPA
