At least eight killed in monsoon landslides at Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh

Heavy monsoon rains triggered deadly landslides at Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh, killing at least eight people, including children, and forcing authorities to evacuate residents from high-risk areas early on Monday.

The landslides struck four areas across the camps in Cox's Bazar, the world's largest refugee settlement, which is home to more than 1.2 million Rohingya refugees.

Many shelters were buried under mud and debris while residents were asleep.

A Bangladeshi man was killed and two members of his family were injured after part of a hillside collapsed onto their home, police said.

Authorities warned that continuing rainfall had increased the risk of further landslides, as thousands of refugees still live on unstable slopes.

"We’re moving people out of high-risk areas as quickly as possible to prevent any more casualties," said Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, the Bangladeshi official responsible for refugee relief and repatriation.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has forecast more heavy rain in the coming days, prompting authorities to remain on alert for further landslides and flash flooding.

Landslides and flooding are common during the monsoon season in the refugee camps, often causing deaths and widespread damage to homes, roads and other infrastructure.

Country braces for more refugees

Meanwhile, fighting has intensified in Myanmar's Rakhine State, raising concerns about a fresh influx of Rohingya refugees into Bangladesh.

Authorities have stepped up border monitoring following reports of people gathering near the frontier in the hope of entering the country.

Read more:

• Bangladesh says $300 billion climate finance goal falls short, calls for more support
• Bangladesh and India agree to border cooperation amid migration tensions

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