by Hafizur Rahman
Andaman Sea | April 15, 2026
At least 250 people, including Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshis, are missing after a boat sank in the Andaman Sea, according to a joint statement by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Organization for Migration.
The statement said women and children were among those on board. The vessel reportedly departed from Teknaf in southern Bangladesh and was heading toward Malaysia.
Preliminary information indicates the boat was overcrowded and encountered strong winds and rough sea conditions, which led to the sinking.
As of now, rescue teams have not confirmed recovering any of the missing passengers.
The UN agencies said the incident reflects the ongoing challenges faced by Rohingya refugees, many of whom remain unable to return safely to Myanmar due to continued violence in Rakhine State.
They noted that conditions in the camps, including limited access to education, livelihoods, and essential services, continue to push some refugees to undertake dangerous sea journeys.
The agencies also warned that human trafficking networks and false promises of work abroad are contributing to such movements.
They called on the international community to increase support and funding for Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh.
The statement added that without meaningful progress toward resolving the crisis in Myanmar, similar incidents are likely to continue.
