250 missing after migrant boat sinks in Indian Ocean

250 Missing After Migrant Boat Sinks in Indian Ocean

Following a boat disaster in the Andaman Sea, the United Nations’ refugee and migration agencies confirmed that approximately 250 Rohingya and Bangladeshis, including children, are unaccounted for. The vessel, which left Bangladesh and aimed for Malaysia, reportedly sank due to heavy winds, rough seas, and overcrowding, according to the agencies.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard informed AFP that one of its ships rescued nine individuals from the boat on April 9. However, the exact moment of the capsizing remains uncertain. Over the past years, hundreds of thousands of Rohingya, an ethnic minority in Myanmar, have fled to Bangladesh after a violent crackdown in 2017.

Rohingya, predominantly Muslim, are excluded from citizenship by Myanmar’s government, which is majority Buddhist. Despite this, poor living conditions in Bangladesh have driven some to embark on perilous sea journeys toward Malaysia, a Muslim nation viewed by many as a potential safe haven.

Survivor’s Account

Rafiqul Islam, a survivor, recounted to AFP that he drifted for nearly 36 hours before being saved. He also mentioned being burned by oil that spilled from the vessel.

Rafiqul, 40, stated that the promise of employment in Malaysia was the reason he boarded the boat. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration jointly noted that this tragedy highlights the severe outcomes of long-term displacement and the lack of lasting solutions for the Rohingya.

Ongoing conflict in Rakhine, the Rohingya’s homeland in Myanmar, has diminished their chances of a safe return. The agencies highlighted that limited humanitarian aid and difficult conditions in refugee camps have led to more people taking risky sea routes in pursuit of safety and new opportunities.

Many of these boats are small, cramped, and lack essentials like fresh water and sanitation. They often fail to reach their intended destinations. Some passengers perish at sea, while others are detained or deported. In some cases, they are turned back near Malaysia or Indonesia by authorities or local communities.

Recent Developments

In January 2025, Malaysia rejected two boats carrying around 300 refugees, providing them with food and water before sending them away. A Rohingya refugee in Cox’s Bazar previously told Reuters, “People are dying in the fighting, dying from hunger. So some think it’s better to die at sea than to die slowly here.”

In a statement on Tuesday, the UN agencies urged the global community to continue supporting Rohingya refugees and their host communities in Bangladesh. They emphasized the importance of addressing the root causes of displacement in Myanmar and creating conditions for voluntary, safe, and dignified returns.