Around 250 men, women and children are missing after a boat carrying Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi nationals capsized in the Andaman Sea, according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The trawler reportedly left Teknaf in southern Bangladesh and was heading toward Malaysia when it sank due to heavy winds, rough seas and overcrowding.
UNHCR and IOM expressed deep sorrow over the incident, calling it a tragic reminder of the risks faced by displaced populations and migrants attempting dangerous sea journeys.
The agencies said the disaster highlights the consequences of prolonged displacement and the lack of durable solutions for Rohingya refugees. They noted that continued violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine State has reduced hopes of safe return, while poor conditions in refugee camps, shrinking humanitarian aid, and limited access to education and livelihoods are pushing people toward risky migration routes.
They also warned that promises of better wages abroad, combined with misinformation spread by smuggling networks, are driving both Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi nationals to take life-threatening risks at sea.
According to the agencies, smugglers and traffickers exploit these vulnerabilities, placing lives in grave danger, while the Andaman Sea continues to claim lives during such perilous crossings.
UNHCR and IOM have urged the international community to strengthen solidarity and sustain funding for humanitarian assistance to Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, as well as support for host communities.
They also called for urgent action to address the root causes of displacement in Myanmar and create conditions for the safe, voluntary and dignified return of refugees.
The agencies warned that without collective action, more lives will be lost in similar dangerous journeys at sea and on land.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
