Tragedy at Sea: 185 Refugees Stranded and in Desperate Need of Rescue
Urgent action is needed as fears escalate for the safety of Rohingya refugees stranded at sea in the Indian Ocean. The boat they set off in from Bangladesh has suffered engine failure, leaving the group of 185, mostly women and children, in critical need of rescue near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) issued a dire warning on Saturday, emphasizing the desperate situation these refugees are facing.
These Rohingya refugees fled overcrowded camps in Bangladesh, seeking refuge after escaping persecution in Myanmar. The brutal crackdown on the Rohingya people in 2017 forced hundreds of thousands to flee, with the United States accusing the Myanmar military of committing genocide against them. A genocide case against Myanmar is currently underway at the UN’s top court.
Tragically, at least one passenger on the boat has already lost their life, and a dozen others are in critical condition, according to the UNHCR. The agency emphasized the urgent need for timely rescue and disembarkation to prevent further loss of life.
It’s not uncommon for Rohingya refugees to undertake risky sea journeys in an attempt to reach safety in Southeast Asian countries. In 2022 alone, over 2,000 Rohingya attempted these perilous journeys, with more than 570 reported dead or missing at sea in the region since last year.
The UNHCR stressed the preventable nature of this tragedy and urged all states in the region to deploy their search and rescue capacities to avoid further disasters. The situation calls for immediate and coordinated efforts to save lives.
