Around 250 Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi nationals are feared missing after a boat capsized in the Andaman Sea while attempting to reach Malaysia, according to United Nations agencies.
The vessel is believed to have departed from Teknaf in southern Bangladesh earlier in April 2026, carrying men, women and children. It reportedly sank due to a combination of heavy winds, rough seas and overcrowding, officials said.
So far, only nine survivors have been rescued, after being found floating at sea by a passing vessel on 9 April, according to Bangladesh authorities.
The incident highlights the ongoing risks faced by Rohingya refugees, many of whom flee violence in Myanmar and harsh conditions in refugee camps in Bangladesh by undertaking dangerous sea journeys toward Southeast Asia.
The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said the tragedy underscores the urgent need for greater international support and safer migration pathways. The full number of casualties remains unclear as authorities continue efforts to determine how many people were on board.
