Dhaka, Oct. 2 -- The Bangladesh Navy has rescued 65 people allegedly being trafficked to Malaysia and detained 11 suspected traffickers from a distressed boat in the deep sea near Saint Martin's Island.

Fishing trawler "FV Crystal-1" spotted the wooden boat about 81 nautical miles from the Saint Martin's Lighthouse on Thursday night and alerted the Navy after finding the people on board in suspicious circumstances, according to a Navy statement.

"BNS Khalid Bin Walid", which was on a routine patrol, subsequently reached the vessel.

The boat was in a precarious condition after its engine and pump malfunctioned and it began taking on water. Navy personnel pumped out the water and brought the vessel under control before taking the 76 peop...