A 17‑year‑old Rohingya named Imran survived after a fishing trawler overloaded with refugees capsized in the Andaman Sea. Nine rescued aboard a Bangladeshi‑flagged ship, while roughly 250 passengers remain feared dead.

The vessel left Teknaf early April bound for Malaysia, carrying Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingya refugees in a cramped hold. Imran described continuous overcrowding, forced nightly relocations, and a fatal loss of sleep for passengers.

The tragedy highlights growing desperation amid shrinking aid—monthly food parcels have fallen to $7 per person, down from higher levels. With limited rescue coverage in regional waters, the incident underscores the urgency of coordinated maritime safety and humanitarian support.

Imran now recuperates in a Cox’s Bazar camp, warning that the peril of sea travel outweighs any promise of a better life, and calling for stronger protection for vulnerable migrants.