Violence erupts in Myanmar, 21,000 Rohingya Muslims flee to Bangladesh

Dhaka province: Around 21,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled to Bangladesh in recent weeks to escape from violence-hit Myanmar, an official of the International Organisation for Migration said Tuesday.

Bangladesh has advanced its patrolling near border areas to hunt down the tide of refugees who have been fleeing a bloody crackdown by Myanmar`s army in the western state of Rakhine since early October.

Around 21,000 members of the Rohingya Muslims had crossed over in the past two months, said Sanjukta Sahany, head of the IOM office in Bangladesh's southeastern district of Cox's Bazar.

The vast majority of those who arrived took refuge in makeshift settlements, official refugee camps and villages, said Sahany.

"An estimated 21,000 Rohingya Muslims have arrived in Cox`s Bazar district between October 9 and December 2," she told AFP by phone.

"It is based on the figures collected by UN agencies and international NGOs" (non-governmental organisations).

Those who interviewed by AFP inside Bangladesh had horrifying stories of gang rape, torture and mass murder at the hands of Myanmar`s security forces.

Satellite images by Human Rights Watch found hundreds of buildings in Rohingya villages have been destroyed.

Myanmar has denied allegations of abuse but has also banned foreign journalists and independent investigators from accessing the area to investigate.