About 250 Missing After Migrant Boat Sinks in Andaman Sea

Around 250 migrants, including Rohingya and Bangladeshis, are missing after a boat capsized in the Andaman Sea last week, according to a joint statement by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Organization for Migration.

The overcrowded trawler had departed from Bangladesh and was heading toward Malaysia when it reportedly sank due to heavy winds and rough seas. The exact timing of the incident remains unclear.

On 9 April, a Bangladesh-flagged vessel discovered nine survivors adrift at sea, clinging to drums and wooden debris to stay afloat. The individuals were later rescued and transferred to the Bangladesh Coast Guard after being brought aboard a passing ship.

Survivors recounted that the vessel had set sail on April 4 in search of better economic opportunities abroad. However, by April 7 or 8, it was caught in a powerful storm, leaving passengers stranded in open waters for nearly two days.

One survivor, Rafiqul Islam, said he floated for approximately 36 hours before being rescued, suffering burns from spilled fuel in the process. He explained that the promise of employment in Malaysia had motivated his journey.

The migrants are believed to include members of the Rohingya community, a persecuted Muslim minority from Myanmar. Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya fled to Bangladesh following a violent military crackdown in 2017, and many continue to live in overcrowded refugee camps, particularly in Cox’s Bazar.

Despite seeking refuge in Bangladesh, difficult living conditions and limited opportunities have driven some to undertake dangerous sea crossings in hopes of reaching safer destinations.

In their statement, the UN agencies warned that the tragedy underscores the ongoing humanitarian crisis facing the Rohingya, citing prolonged displacement, deteriorating conditions in camps, and diminishing aid as key factors pushing people into such perilous journeys.

“These boats are often small, overcrowded, and lack basic necessities such as fresh water and sanitation,” the agencies noted, adding that many do not reach their intended destinations.