A group of Rakhine Buddhist villagers have rescued two Muslim fishermen, whose fishing boat capsized and slipped to the sea due to cyclonic storm named Sitrang.

U Mar Mauk Ya Saim (aka Bodsti, 44 years old) from Ohn Towche refugee camp and Ko Zalamat (27) from Boduba refugee camp in Sittwe township faced the accident on 24 October.

Both of them were fishing in the west sea of Sittwe during the morning hours and their boat suddenly broke down because of the storm.

Mar Mauk Ya Saim was floating in the sea near Dom Pike village under Rathedaung township and rescued by the villagers.

On the other hand, Zalamat was rescued by Indin Rakhine villagers who saw him floating in the sea near their village under Maungdaw township.

After his rescue, the villagers let Mar Mauk Ya Saim go home on 25 October. Now the villagers are planning to send back Zalamat to his village safely.

A social activist termed the incident as satisfactory as the Rakhine Buddhists and Muslims, who were hostile in nature during past days, have now learnt to respect each other.

Local residents informed that the cyclone Sitrang crossed Bangladesh (where many people died) and touched the Rakhine coast, including the Sittwe locality to destroy houses, paddy fields and also trees.