Trawler with 250 Bangladeshis and Rohingyas capsizes in Andaman Sea

About 250 people, including Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi nationals, are feared missing after a trawler capsized in the Andaman Sea while en route to Malaysia.

According to a joint statement by the UNHCR and IOM, the vessel reportedly departed from Teknaf in southern Bangladesh and sank amid heavy winds, rough seas and overcrowded conditions.

The incident came to light after nine survivors were rescued from the sea, reports The Daily Star.

In a press release, Bangladesh Coast Guard (media officer) Lt Commander Sabbir Alam Sujan said the Bangladesh-flagged vessel MT Meghna Pride, en route from Chattogram to Indonesia, rescued nine individuals, eight men and one woman, from international waters near the Andaman Islands on the afternoon of 9 April.

They were later handed over to Bangladesh Coast Guard’s patrol ship Mansur Ali around midnight.

The UN agencies said the incident underscores the worsening risks faced by Rohingya refugees, driven by prolonged displacement and a lack of durable solutions.

“Ongoing violence in Rakhine state has faded hopes of safe return in the near future, while shrinking humanitarian assistance, challenging living conditions in refugee camps, and limited access to education and livelihoods are pushing refugees to take such dangerous sea journeys in search of safety and opportunity,” the statement added.

It said that the promise of better economic opportunities abroad, often fuelled by misinformation from smuggling networks, is compelling both Rohingya and Bangladeshi nationals to take dangerous risks.

These circumstances, the agencies warned, are being exploited by traffickers and smugglers, putting lives in grave danger.

Describing the incident as a stark reminder of ongoing humanitarian challenges, the agencies urged the international community to strengthen support for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and assist host communities.

They also called for renewed efforts to address the root causes of displacement in Myanmar and to create conditions for the voluntary, safe and dignified return of Rohingya refugees.

“Without collective action, more lives will be lost at sea and along dangerous migration routes,” the statement said.