250 Rohingya refugees, Bangladeshi nationals feared dead after boat capsized

About 250 people are feared dead or missing after a boat carrying Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi nationals capsized in the Andaman Sea. 

The trawler, which departed from Teknaf in southern Bangladesh and was en route to Malaysia, reportedly sank on 9 April due to heavy winds, rough seas, and overcrowding. 

In 2025, more than 6,500 Rohingya refugees embarked on dangerous maritime journeys from Bangladesh and Myanmar, almost 900 of whom lost their lives¹. On the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal specifically, deaths and disappearances increased by over 40 per cent from 2024 (598) to 2025 (860). 

Saving lives and rescuing those in distress at sea is a humanitarian imperative. IOM calls on States in the region to uphold their obligations under international maritime law, including strengthening search-and-rescue efforts and ensuring the safe and timely disembarkation of those rescued. 

Despite significant funding gaps, IOM and its partners continue to document these tragedies, provide life-saving assistance and basic services to Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and to host communities, while working with authorities to combat smuggling and trafficking.