250 missing after migrant boat sinks in Indian Ocean

250 Rohingya and Bangladeshis Missing After Boat Disaster in Andaman Sea

Following a maritime accident in the Andaman Sea, over 250 Rohingya and Bangladeshis, including children, are still unaccounted for, as reported by the United Nations’ refugee and migration organizations. The vessel, which left Bangladesh and was heading to Malaysia, reportedly sank due to heavy winds, rough seas, and overcrowding, according to the agencies. A Bangladesh Coast Guard ship rescued nine individuals from the boat on 9 April, though the exact time of the capsizing remains unclear.

Background on Rohingya Displacement

The Rohingya, an ethnic minority group in Myanmar, have been fleeing across the border into Bangladesh since a deadly crackdown in 2017. Denied citizenship by the Myanmar government, which is predominantly Buddhist, the Rohingya are primarily Muslim and face ongoing challenges in their homeland. Despite the dangers, some continue their journey to Malaysia, a Muslim-majority country seen as a potential refuge, due to deteriorating conditions in Bangladesh.

Survivor’s Account

Rafiqul Islam, a 40-year-old survivor, recounted to AFP that he drifted for nearly 36 hours before being rescued. He described being injured by oil that spilled from the vessel, highlighting the perilous nature of the voyage. Islam stated that the promise of employment in Malaysia was the primary reason he boarded the boat.

UN Agencies’ Response

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and International Organization for Migration emphasized that the tragedy underscores the severe outcomes of prolonged displacement and the absence of lasting solutions for the Rohingya. Agencies noted that persistent conflict in Rakhine State, their home region, has diminished hopes of a safe return. Shrinking humanitarian aid and tough living conditions in refugee camps have further driven them to take risky sea routes in pursuit of safety and opportunity.

Perils of the Journey

These vessels, often small and overcrowded, lack essential amenities such as fresh water and sanitation. Many do not reach their destinations, with some passengers perishing at sea. Others are detained or deported, while others are rejected by authorities or local communities in Malaysia and Indonesia. In January 2025, Malaysia turned away two boats carrying approximately 300 refugees after providing them with food and water.

“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, told Reuters.

Call for Global Support

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the UN agencies urged the international community to maintain funding for Rohingya refugees and their host communities in Bangladesh. They stressed that as the country begins a new year, this disaster serves as a reminder of the urgent need to tackle the root causes of displacement in Myanmar. The goal is to create conditions that would enable the Rohingya to return home voluntarily, safely, and with dignity.