Hundreds reported missing after Rohingya boat sinks in Andaman Sea

Approximately 250 people, including children, are feared missing after a boat capsized in the Andaman Sea, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The incident occurred on a vessel carrying Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi nationals, who were reportedly traveling from Myanmar. The UNHCR stated that the boat sank due to “heavy winds, rough seas, and overcrowding”.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard reported rescuing nine people from the sea on April 9, including one woman. According to Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujan, a spokesperson for the BCG, the vessel spotted several individuals floating in the water using drums and logs before rescuing them.

Of the rescued individuals, six are alleged traffickers who have been detained by police. One survivor, Rafiqul Islam, reported being lured onto the boat by traffickers who promised him work in Malaysia. He stated that some people died during the voyage due to oil spills and overcrowding, while others succumbed to suffocation after floating for nearly 36 hours.

The UNHCR emphasized that the incident highlights the “dire consequences of protracted displacement” faced by Rohingya refugees. The Andaman Sea is a critical migration route for those fleeing persecution in Myanmar, with Malaysia being a popular destination due to its Muslim-majority population and existing Rohingya diaspora. In 2017, an armed offensive in Myanmar led to the forced displacement of at least 730,000 Rohingya into neighboring Bangladesh.

Source: Al Jazeera