At least 250 people are missing after a boat capsized in the Andaman Sea while traveling to Malaysia. The vessel carried Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi nationals.
The trawler departed from Teknaf in southern Bangladesh carrying a large number of passengers, including women and children. Overcrowding, strong winds, and rough seas reportedly caused the boat to sink.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Organization for Migration stated the disappearance highlights the ongoing displacement of Rohingya people and the lack of lasting solutions. Limited assistance and restricted opportunities continue to drive vulnerable refugees to undertake dangerous journeys.
The agencies urged increased international support for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, which currently shelters over 1 million people from Myanmar.