About 250 people are missing after a Rohingya boat capsized in the Andaman Sea last week, according to UN agencies. The vessel was carrying Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi migrants, including children, when it went down in rough weather.
The vessel, which had left Bangladesh and was headed towards Malaysia, is believed to have gone down in rough weather. UN agencies said strong winds, high waves and overcrowding likely contributed to the incident. The exact date of the capsizing remains unclear.
On April 9, a Bangladesh-flagged ship rescued nine survivors who had been drifting at sea, holding onto makeshift flotation such as drums and pieces of wood, the coast guard said.
One of the survivors, Rafiqul Islam, told AFP he remained in the water for nearly 36 hours before being picked up. He said he suffered burns after oil leaked from the vessel. The 40-year-old had boarded the boat in the hope of finding work in Malaysia.
Rohingya Boat Capsized Highlights Dangers of Sea Journeys
The incident, in which a Rohingya boat capsized in the Andaman Sea during rough weather, shows the dangers refugees and migrants face at sea. Smugglers pack these vessels beyond capacity and send them out without basic supplies such as food, drinking water and life jackets. Refugees fleeing persecution and hardship often risk these journeys because they have no safer options.
Aid agencies warn that unsafe boats and unpredictable weather regularly turn such crossings into deadly disasters. Many migrants attempt to reach safer destinations, but rough seas, overcrowding and lack of navigation equipment put their lives at constant risk. Without stronger protections and safer pathways, incidents like the Rohingya boat capsized tragedy are likely to continue.
In a joint statement, the UN agencies said the tragedy reflects the prolonged uncertainty faced by the Rohingya community. Ongoing violence in Rakhine State has dimmed prospects of a safe return, they said.
Journeys across the Andaman Sea are frequently undertaken in overcrowded, poorly equipped boats, with little access to food, clean water or sanitation. Not all reach their destination. Some vessels have been turned away by authorities or local communities in countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia, while others have been intercepted or forced back.
Earlier this year, Malaysia turned away two boats carrying roughly 300 refugees after providing them with basic supplies.
UN agencies have called for sustained international support for Rohingya refugees and the communities hosting them in Bangladesh, warning that without long-term solutions, such perilous journeys are likely to continue.
