Nearly 250 Including Children Feared Dead As Overcrowded Trawler Capsizes In Andaman Sea; Search Ops Underway

New Delhi: A massive search and rescue operation is underway in the Andaman Sea after a trawler carrying approximately 250 people, including Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi nationals, capsized in treacherous waters on Tuesday.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) issued a joint statement expressing deep sorrow over the incident, which occurred at a time when the region marks the Bengali New Year.

The vessel, which departed from Teknaf in southern Bangladesh, was reportedly bound for Malaysia when it reportedly sank due to heavy winds and overcrowding. "UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and IOM, the International Organisation for Migration, are deeply saddened by reports that approximately 250 men, women and children are missing at sea after a boat carrying Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi nationals capsized in the Andaman Sea," the statement read.

"This tragic incident reflects the dire consequences of protracted displacement and the absence of durable solutions for the Rohingya. Ongoing violence in Rakhine State has faded hopes of safe return in the near future, while shrinking humanitarian assistance, challenging living conditions in refugee camps, and limited access to education and livelihoods are pushing refugees to take such dangerous sea journeys in search of safety and opportunity," it said.

UNHCR further stated that Andaman Sea continues to claim the lives of people undertaking perilous journeys due to various factors. "The promise of better wages abroad, often coupled with misinformation spread by smuggling networks, drives individuals, Rohingya and Bangladeshi nationals, to take significant risks. These factors create conditions in which smugglers and traffickers can exploit vulnerabilities, placing lives at grave risk. The Andaman Sea continues to claim the lives of people undertaking these perilous journeys," it said.

The agencies further emphasised that the missing passengers are believed to include families, women, and children, highlighting the growing humanitarian crisis faced by displaced communities in the region.

They noted that such sea crossings have become increasingly frequent despite repeated warnings about the extreme dangers involved. "We urgently call on the international community to step up solidarity and sustain funding to support lifesaving assistance for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh as well as support for the Bangladeshi host communities. As Bangladesh marks its new year, this tragedy is a reminder of the efforts urgently needed to address the root causes of displacement in Myanmar and create conditions that would allow Rohingya refugees to return home voluntarily, safely and with dignity," the statement added.

"Without collective action, more lives will be lost at sea and on desperate journeys through deadly routes," it further warned.

It is worth mentioning here that the Rohingya crisis intensified after violence in Myanmar in 2017, resulting in large-scale displacement, with lakhs of people taking refuge in Bangladesh. Thousands now live in crowded camps where access to stable jobs and long-term opportunities is limited, making them vulnerable to exploitation by human trafficking and smuggling networks.

Owing to such situation, some people attempt to travel by sea through the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea. Officials and humanitarian agencies have reportedly cautioned that these journeys can be dangerous, including the risk of accidents at sea, and have called for better international coordination to address the situation.