The Journey to Death at Sea
It is believed that around 250 Rohingya and Bangladeshi refugees are missing, after the boat they were on sank last week in the Andaman sea. The boat left Bangladesh for Malaysia.
Early rescue and survivors found
A team of the Bangladesh Coast Guard recovered nine survivors on April 9.A passing oil tanker saved more survivors on its journey and transported them safely
What survivors reported
The survivors shared their story, stating that they began the trip on April 4, hoping to reach Malaysia in order to work safely and for safety.
The survivors said that the ship encountered a storm on April 7 or 8.
Many passengers found themselves in the water and had to struggle for survival using floating debris.
One survivor said he drifted for over a day, suffering from injuries due to spilled gasoline.
The total number of passengers is still unknown.
Rohingya refugees continue to face a crisis
After violence in Myanmar caused hundreds of thousands of Rohingya to flee in 2017, the community is now facing long-term displacement.
Most still reside in refugee camps that are overcrowded and have limited services.
Dangerous Sea Routes & Regional Challenges
Many of these sea voyages lack the proper equipment for safety, sanitation, or clean water. Many ships never reach their destination. Many boats are not able to reach their destinations.
Reports show also that the regional pushbacks has increased risks to migrants, who are already in extreme danger on sea.
International Concerns and Call for Action
The United Nations refugee and migration agencies expressed their concern about the incident.
The agencies have called for stronger international assistance to Rohingya refugee communities and the host community in Bangladesh.
The report also emphasized the importance of addressing the causes behind the displacement and creating conditions for safe.
