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Over 200 Rohingya and Bangladeshis feared lost at sea
The United Nations refugee and migration agencies confirmed that approximately 250 people, including children, remain missing after their vessel sank in the Andaman Sea last week. The boat, carrying Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi nationals, departed from Bangladesh en route to Malaysia.
Circumstances of the capsizing
The UN agencies stated the trawler likely went down due to a combination of severe weather, turbulent waters, and overcrowding. The exact timing of the incident remains unclear, though a Bangladesh-flagged ship rescued nine survivors on April 9. These individuals were found clinging to floating debris, according to the coast guard.
Survivors recount harrowing ordeal
A coast guard official, speaking anonymously to the BBC, shared accounts from the rescued. They had set sail from Bangladesh on April 4, hoping for better opportunities in Malaysia. Between April 7 and 8, their boat encountered a violent storm, leaving passengers stranded at sea for nearly two days.
"They were left floating at sea for nearly two days, holding onto drums and pieces of wood," the official said.
The survivors, later identified as both Rohingya and Bangladeshi nationals from Cox's Bazar, were spotted by the Motor Tanker Meghna Pride around 2 a.m. on April 11. The vessel transferred them to the coast guard ship Mansur Ali after entering Bangladeshi waters.
Uncertainty over missing passengers
The survivors reported seeing nearly 100 people aboard the ill-fated boat, though the total number of passengers remains unverified. No further traces of the vessel or additional survivors have been found, the coast guard confirmed.
Rafiqul Islam, a 40-year-old survivor, told AFP he endured 36 hours adrift, suffering burns from spilled fuel. He explained that the prospect of employment in Malaysia motivated his journey.
Root causes of the crisis
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) issued a joint statement describing the tragedy as a consequence of prolonged displacement and the lack of sustainable solutions for the Rohingya community. Ongoing violence in Myanmar's Rakhine State has dashed hopes of safe repatriation, while diminishing humanitarian aid and harsh conditions in Bangladeshi refugee camps drive many to risk perilous sea voyages.
"This tragic incident reflects the dire consequences of protracted displacement and the absence of durable solutions for the Rohingya," the agencies said.
These journeys are often undertaken in unseaworthy, overcrowded boats lacking basic necessities like clean water and sanitation. Many vessels fail to reach their destinations, with passengers facing death, detention, or deportation. Some have been turned away by authorities or coastal communities in Malaysia and Indonesia. In January 2025, Malaysian officials intercepted two boats carrying around 300 refugees, providing supplies before refusing entry.
Calls for international action
A Rohingya refugee in Cox's Bazar previously told Reuters that some view the sea as a preferable alternative to the slow suffering in camps. "People are dying in the fighting, dying from hunger. So some think it's better to die at sea than to die slowly here," they said.
In their Tuesday statement, the UN agencies urged the global community to maintain funding for Rohingya refugees and their host communities in Bangladesh. They emphasized the need to address the underlying causes of displacement in Myanmar and create conditions for voluntary, safe, and dignified returns.
"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," the agencies stated.
