About 250 Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi migrants, including children, are missing after a boat capsized last week in the Andaman Sea, according to the United Nations’ refugee and migration agencies.
The vessel, which had departed from Bangladesh and was heading toward Malaysia, reportedly sank after being overwhelmed by heavy winds, rough seas, and overcrowding, the agencies said.
The exact time of the disaster remains unclear. However, on April 9, a Bangladesh-flagged vessel rescued nine survivors who were found “clinging to drums and wooden debris” in the open sea, according to the coast guard.
A coast guard official, speaking anonymously to the BBC, said the survivors had left Bangladesh on April 4 in search of better opportunities in Malaysia.
He said the boat encountered a storm around April 7 or 8 and was left adrift for nearly two days as passengers struggled to survive.
“They were left floating at sea for nearly two days, holding onto drums and pieces of wood,” the official said.
The Bangladesh-flagged Motor Tanker Meghna Pride, which was travelling from Bangladesh to Indonesia, later discovered the survivors at around 2 a.m. on April 11. The crew took them on board before handing them over to the Bangladesh Coast Guard vessel Mansur Ali after entering national waters.
Survivors said they believed nearly 100 people had been seen during the ordeal, though officials say the total number remains unconfirmed.
“But the exact number is still unknown, and there is no trace of the others or of the boat,” the officer said.
One survivor, Rafiqul Islam, told AFP he drifted at sea for nearly 36 hours before being rescued. He said he suffered burns after being exposed to spilled oil from the vessel.
The 40-year-old said he was persuaded to join the journey after being promised work in Malaysia.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), jointly with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), said the tragedy highlights the worsening conditions facing displaced Rohingya populations.
“This tragic incident reflects the dire consequences of protracted displacement and the absence of durable solutions for the Rohingya,” the agencies said.
Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya have fled Myanmar since a military crackdown in 2017. The Muslim minority group is denied citizenship in Myanmar and continues to face persecution.
Many are now living in overcrowded camps in Bangladesh, particularly in Cox’s Bazar, where limited opportunities and shrinking humanitarian support are pushing some to attempt dangerous sea journeys.
The UN agencies said ongoing violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine State has eliminated hope of safe return in the near future, forcing many to risk their lives at sea in search of safety and opportunity.
“These boats are often small and cramped, lacking basic facilities like fresh water and sanitation,” the statement said, adding that many journeys end in death, detention, or forced return.
Authorities in Malaysia and Indonesia have previously turned away migrant boats, further limiting escape routes for those fleeing persecution.
In January 2025, Malaysia reportedly turned back two boats carrying around 300 refugees after providing food and water.
A Rohingya refugee in Cox’s Bazar previously told Reuters: “People are dying in the fighting, dying from hunger. So some think it’s better to die at sea than to die slowly here.”
The UN agencies have called for sustained international funding and urgent action to address the root causes of displacement in Myanmar, stressing the need for safe, voluntary, and dignified returns for refugees.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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