About 250 Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants, including children, are missing after their boat capsized in the Andaman Sea, according to United Nations refugee and migration agencies.
The vessel left Bangladesh and was heading toward Malaysia when it reportedly sank due to heavy winds, rough seas, and overcrowding.
Authorities say it is not clear when the boat capsized. However, on 9 April, a Bangladesh-flagged ship rescued nine survivors who were found clinging to floating drums and wooden debris.
The Rohingya, a Muslim ethnic minority from Myanmar, have faced years of persecution and displacement. Many fled to Bangladesh after a military crackdown in 2017, and hundreds of thousands still live in refugee camps, particularly in the Cox’s Bazar region.
Poor living conditions in these camps have pushed some Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants to attempt dangerous sea journeys in search of safety and work opportunities in countries like Malaysia.
Survivors told officials they left Bangladesh on 4 April hoping for better lives. They said the boat became caught in a storm around 7–8 April.
One Coast Guard official said survivors floated at sea for nearly two days, holding onto debris and fuel drums before rescue teams found them.
