Around 250 people are feared missing after a boat carrying Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi nationals capsized in the Andaman Sea, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
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The vessel was reportedly travelling from Teknaf in southern Bangladesh to Malaysia when it sank amid rough weather conditions. The UN agency said strong winds, high waves, and overcrowding likely contributed to the tragedy.
BREAKING: Nearly 250 refugees, including children, are feared missing after a boat capsized in the Andaman Sea. Reports suggest rough weather and severe overcrowding led to the tragedy.
— Weather Monitor (@WeatherMonitors) April 14, 2026
Initial reports suggest the boat was carrying approximately 280 passengers when it departed on April 4. Survivors and officials indicated that the vessel capsized after several days at sea, leaving many stranded in open waters.
The Bangladesh Coast Guard confirmed that at least nine people, including one woman, were rescued on April 9. Officials said some survivors were found clinging to makeshift flotation devices such as drums and wooden logs before being pulled to safety by passing vessels.
One survivor, Rafiqul Islam, said he had boarded the boat after being promised employment opportunities in Malaysia. He described harsh conditions onboard, including overcrowding and injuries caused by spilled fuel. According to his account, the vessel travelled for four days before capsizing, and survivors drifted at sea for over 30 hours before rescue.
Thousands of Rohingya refugees attempt dangerous sea journeys each year, fleeing persecution and conflict in Myanmar’s Rakhine state. Many depart from overcrowded refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, where more than a million displaced people reside.
The UNHCR described the incident as a stark reminder of the risks faced by displaced populations and called for urgent international action to address the root causes of forced migration.
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Authorities are continuing search and rescue operations, though hopes of finding additional survivors are diminishing as time passes.