Around 250 Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi nationals are feared missing after a boat capsized in the Andaman Sea, according to United Nations agencies.
The UN refugee and migration bodies said the overcrowded trawler likely sank due to strong winds and rough sea conditions. The vessel had left Teknaf in southern Bangladesh and was heading towards Malaysia when the accident happened.
In a joint statement, the agencies said the incident highlights the continuing risks faced by Rohingya people attempting dangerous sea journeys in search of safety and better living conditions.
Many Rohingya have long tried to escape Myanmar and refugee camps in Bangladesh by sea, often using unsafe boats to reach countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. Thousands have died or gone missing in similar journeys over the years.
The UN agencies called for stronger international support to protect displaced Rohingya communities and improve humanitarian aid in Bangladesh, where large numbers of refugees are currently living in overcrowded camps.
The Rohingya crisis began escalating in 2017 when a military crackdown in Myanmar forced more than 700,000 people to flee to Bangladesh. A UN investigation later said the violence involved serious human rights abuses.
Myanmar has rejected accusations of genocide and has disputed the findings of UN investigators.
Search and rescue efforts in the Andaman Sea are continuing, but officials fear there may be few survivors.
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