Boat Capsizes in Andaman Sea Leaving Hundreds Missing
Approximately 250 Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants, including children, remain missing after their boat capsized last week in the Andaman Sea, according to reports from the United Nations' refugee and migration agencies.
The trawler, which set sail from Bangladesh en route to Malaysia, reportedly sank due to heavy winds, rough seas, and overcrowding, the agencies stated.
The exact date of the capsizing is unclear; however, on 9 April, a Bangladesh-flagged vessel rescued nine survivors who were clinging to drums and wooden debris to stay afloat, according to the coast guard.
Background on Rohingya Migration
Since a deadly crackdown in 2017, hundreds of thousands of Rohingya, an ethnic minority from Myanmar, have fled across the border into Bangladesh. The Rohingya, predominantly Muslim, are denied citizenship by Myanmar's government, a Buddhist-majority country.
Despite the poor living conditions in Bangladesh, some Rohingya have embarked on perilous journeys aboard overcrowded vessels to Malaysia, a Muslim-majority country viewed by some as a potential safe haven in the region.
Survivor Account
Rafiqul Islam, a 40-year-old survivor, told AFP that he floated for nearly 36 hours before being rescued. He also reported being burned by oil that spilled from the vessel.
"This tragic incident reflects the dire consequences of protracted displacement and the absence of durable solutions for the Rohingya,"
said the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in a statement jointly issued with the International Organization for Migration.
"The promise of a job in Malaysia was what persuaded me to get on the boat,"
Rafiqul added.
UN Agencies Highlight Root Causes
The agencies noted that ongoing violence in Rakhine State, Myanmar, has diminished hopes for a safe return in the near future. They emphasized that shrinking humanitarian assistance and difficult living conditions in refugee camps have compelled many Rohingya to undertake dangerous sea journeys in search of safety and opportunity.
These boats are often small and cramped, lacking basic facilities such as fresh water and sanitation. Many do not reach their intended destinations; some perish at sea, while others face detention or deportation.
Additionally, some boats have been turned away upon approaching Malaysia and Indonesia, either by authorities or local coastal communities. In January 2025, Malaysia turned away two boats carrying approximately 300 refugees after providing food and water to the passengers.
"People are dying in the fighting, dying from hunger. So some think it's better to die at sea than to die slowly here,"
a Rohingya refugee in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, previously told .
Call for International Support
In their statement released on Tuesday, the UN agencies urged the international community to maintain funding for Rohingya refugees and their host communities in Bangladesh.
"As Bangladesh marks its new year, this tragedy is a reminder of the efforts urgently needed to address the root causes of displacement in Myanmar and create conditions that would allow Rohingya refugees return home voluntarily, safely and with dignity."
