Tragic Boat Capsize in Andaman Sea Leaves 250 Missing: Rohingya Refugees Among the Victims

A tragic boat capsizing incident in the Andaman Sea has left more than 250 individuals missing, including Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi nationals. The vessel, which was heading to Malaysia, faced overcrowding and rough seas, leading to its sinking. While nine survivors were rescued, the situation highlights the ongoing plight of the Rohingya people, who are often forced to undertake dangerous journeys due to violence and limited opportunities. The UN agencies are calling for increased international support to assist these vulnerable populations. Read on for more details about this heartbreaking event.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 15, 2026, 13:28 IST

Devastating Incident in the Andaman Sea

Dhaka: Recent reports indicate that over 250 individuals, including both Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi citizens, are unaccounted for following a boat capsizing incident in the Andaman Sea while en route to Malaysia, as stated by the United Nations' refugee and migration agencies.

Details surrounding the incident remain limited. On April 9, Lt. Com. Sabbir Alam Suzan, a spokesperson for the Bangladesh Coast Guard, informed the media that nine individuals, comprising three Rohingya and six Bangladeshis, were rescued.

The rescue operation was conducted by the Bangladesh-flagged vessel M.T. Meghna Pride, which discovered the survivors floating in the sea after the boat sank.

The circumstances of the boat's sinking and the status of any ongoing search efforts were not clear as of Wednesday.

According to a joint statement from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Organisation for Migration, the ill-fated trawler had departed from Teknaf in the Cox's Bazar district of southern Bangladesh, carrying a significant number of passengers heading to Malaysia.

The agencies reported that overcrowding, adverse weather conditions, and turbulent seas contributed to the vessel's loss of control and subsequent sinking.

Shari Nijman, a communication officer for UNHCR in Cox's Bazar, mentioned that there were no further updates available on the situation.

Another coast guard official confirmed via phone that the rescued individuals, consisting of eight men and one woman, were safe after being handed over to the coast guard, who then transferred them to the police in Teknaf.

This rescue was not part of any formal search operation, as it occurred outside Bangladeshi waters, with the M.T. Meghna Pride conducting its journey from Chittagong to Indonesia.

The official requested anonymity in accordance with policy.

UNHCR and IOM highlighted that this tragic incident underscores the ongoing plight of the Rohingya people and the lack of sustainable solutions for their situation.

They pointed out that persistent violence in Myanmar's Rakhine state has rendered the safe return of Rohingya refugees uncertain, while limited humanitarian aid and restricted access to education and job opportunities in refugee camps compel many to undertake perilous sea voyages, often based on misleading promises of better prospects abroad.

The agencies called on the international community to enhance funding and support to provide essential assistance to Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, which currently hosts over 1 million individuals fleeing Myanmar.