250 missing after migrant boat sinks in Indian Ocean

250 Missing After Migrant Boat Sinks in Indian Ocean

Following a capsizing incident in the Andaman Sea, approximately 250 Rohingya and Bangladeshis, including children, are reported missing by the United Nations’ refugee and migration agencies. The vessel, which set sail from Bangladesh and aimed for Malaysia, “reportedly sank due to heavy winds, rough seas, and overcrowding,” according to the agencies. A Bangladesh Coast Guard ship rescued nine individuals from the boat on 9 April, though the exact timing of the disaster remains uncertain.

Thousands of Rohingya, an ethnic minority group in Myanmar, have fled to Bangladesh since the 2017 crackdown that triggered mass displacement. Denied citizenship by the Myanmar government, the Rohingya, who predominantly practice Islam, often seek refuge in neighboring countries. However, deteriorating living conditions in Bangladesh have led some to embark on perilous sea journeys to Malaysia, a Muslim-majority nation seen as a potential safe haven.

Survivor’s Account

Rafiqul Islam, a survivor, recounted to AFP that he drifted for nearly 36 hours before being rescued. He described being burned by oil that spilled from the vessel, highlighting the harrowing experience of those aboard. The 40-year-old cited the promise of employment in Malaysia as the reason for his decision to board the boat.

“This tragic incident reflects the dire consequences of protracted displacement and the absence of durable solutions for the Rohingya,” stated the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in a joint statement with the International Organization for Migration.

Ongoing violence in Rakhine, the Rohingya’s homeland in Myanmar, has diminished hopes of a safe return. Shrinking humanitarian aid and difficult living conditions in refugee camps have prompted more individuals to take these risky journeys in search of stability and opportunity. The boats, often small and overcrowded, lack essential facilities such as fresh water and sanitation, increasing the likelihood of disaster.

Malaysia recently turned away two boats carrying around 300 refugees in January 2025, providing them with food and water before repelling them. A Rohingya refugee in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, 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 released on Tuesday, the UN agencies urged the global community to continue supporting funding for Rohingya refugees and their host communities in Bangladesh. They emphasized the need for urgent action to tackle the root causes of displacement in Myanmar and create conditions for voluntary, safe, and dignified returns.