About 250 feared missing as boat carrying Rohingya, Bangladeshis capsizes in Andaman Sea

UN agencies say the disaster was caused by a combination of heavy winds, rough sea conditions, and overcrowding

UN agencies have reported around 250 people are unaccounted for after a boat bound for Malaysia capsized in the Andaman Sea.

The vessel, which departed from Teknaf, was reportedly bound for Malaysia.

UN agencies on Tuesday attributed the disaster to a combination of heavy winds, rough sea conditions, and overcrowding.

In a joint statement, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) expressed deep sadness over the tragedy, noting that it reflects the "dire consequences" of protracted displacement of Rohingya refugees.

The agencies highlighted several factors driving individuals to undertake such high-risk journeys, including ongoing violence in Rakhine State that has diminished hopes of a safe return to Myanmar.

They also cited shrinking humanitarian aid and difficult living conditions in refugee camps.

Economic desperation, marked by limited access to education and livelihoods, was another key factor.

Smuggling networks spreading misinformation and promising better wages abroad were also identified as a major influence in the joint statement.

"These factors create conditions in which smugglers and traffickers can exploit vulnerabilities, placing lives at grave risk," the statement read.

The tragedy coincides with the celebration of the Bengali New Year in Bangladesh.

UN agencies noted that the timing serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need to address the root causes of displacement in Myanmar to allow for voluntary, safe, and dignified returns.

UNHCR and IOM have issued an urgent appeal to the international community to step up solidarity and sustain funding for lifesaving assistance for Rohingya refugees.

The international community has also been urged to support Bangladeshi host communities who continue to shoulder the responsibility of the refugee crisis

The agencies warned that without immediate collective action and the creation of durable solutions, more lives will inevitably be lost on these "desperate journeys through deadly routes".