Kuala Lumpur: A deadly sea tragedy in the Andaman Sea has left around 250 people missing and feared dead after a boat carrying Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi migrants capsized during a dangerous journey toward Malaysia.
The overcrowded vessel, believed to be carrying nearly 300 people, had set off from the coastal area of Teknaf in Bangladesh. Survivors say the boat was packed far beyond its capacity, with many passengers forced into tight, airless compartments below deck.
One survivor described the journey as terrifying and inhuman. People struggled to breathe as they were crammed together for days with little food or water. At least 30 people are believed to have died even before the boat sank, due to suffocation and exhaustion.
The boat eventually capsized in rough waters, throwing hundreds into the sea. Only a small number of survivors have been rescued so far, with reports suggesting that just a handful managed to stay alive by clinging to debris until help arrived.
Rescue efforts have been limited, as the incident happened in open waters far from immediate coast guard response. Many victims are still missing, and hopes of finding more survivors are fading.
Officials and aid agencies say the tragedy was caused by a mix of overcrowding, harsh weather, and the actions of human trafficking networks that organize such risky journeys. These networks often take desperate refugees on unsafe boats to avoid detection by authorities.
The Rohingya people, who have fled violence and persecution in Myanmar, have been living in crowded refugee camps in Bangladesh for years. With limited access to food, education, and work, many risk dangerous sea crossings in search of a better future.
Humanitarian groups warn that worsening conditions in the camps and reduced international aid are pushing more people to take such life threatening journeys. They say this disaster is another sign of a growing crisis that needs urgent global attention.
The United Nations has called for stronger efforts to protect refugees and prevent human trafficking, as well as long term solutions to address the root causes of displacement.
This tragedy in the Andaman Sea once again highlights the dangers faced by some of the world’s most vulnerable people, and the urgent need for safer pathways and international support.