A boat carrying migrants from Bangladesh to Malaysia has capsized in the Andaman Sea, leaving around 250 people missing.
According to the United Nations refugee and migration agency, those missing include Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi nationals.
As reported by BBC, the vessel—originally used for fishing—was heading toward Malaysia when it sank. Strong winds, rough sea conditions, and overcrowding are believed to have caused the accident.
The Bangladesh Coast Guard said that one of its ships rescued nine survivors on April 9. However, the exact timing of the accident remains unclear.
The Rohingya are a minority community from Myanmar. Many fled to Bangladesh following a violent military crackdown in 2017.
In Myanmar, a predominantly Buddhist country, Rohingya Muslims are denied citizenship, forcing many to live in difficult conditions. As a result, some attempt dangerous sea journeys to reach Malaysia in search of better opportunities.
One survivor, Rafiqul Islam, said he had to stay afloat in the sea for nearly 36 hours before being rescued. The 40-year-old said he took the risk after being promised a job in Malaysia.
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