Dhaka

At least 250 people, including Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi nationals, were reported missing after a boat capsized in the Andaman Sea while heading to Malaysia, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Organization for Migration.

Sabbir Alam Suzan said nine people — three Rohingya and six Bangladeshis — were rescued on April 9.

He said the Bangladesh-flagged vessel M.T. Meghna Pride found the survivors floating at sea after the capsize and brought them to safety.

Authorities said it remained unclear exactly when the boat sank or whether any formal search operations were underway on Wednesday.

According to the UN agencies, the trawler had departed from Teknaf in the southern district of Cox's Bazar carrying a large number of passengers bound for Malaysia.

They said overcrowding, strong winds and rough seas caused the vessel to lose control and sink.

Shari Nijman said there were no further updates.

Another Bangladesh Coast Guard official said the rescued group — eight men and one woman — had been handed over to police in Teknaf after being brought ashore.

The official added that the rescue was not part of any official search mission, as the location was outside Bangladeshi territorial waters. The merchant ship was travelling from Chittagong to Indonesia when it spotted the survivors.

UNHCR and IOM said the tragedy reflected the prolonged displacement of Rohingya refugees and the lack of durable solutions.

They noted that continuing violence in Rakhine State has made safe return to Myanmar uncertain, while limited aid, restricted education and scarce employment opportunities in camps are pushing many refugees toward dangerous sea journeys based on false promises of jobs and better prospects.

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UNHCR and IOM urged the international community to increase funding and solidarity for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, which hosts more than one million displaced people from Myanmar.