Anxiety mounts for families as no sign of survivors a week after Malaysia-bound trawler capsise

Families remain worried as a Malaysia-bound fishing trawler
capsized in the Andaman Sea last week and almost all of the passengers still
remain missing.
The vessel carrying about 250 people left from
Teknaf and sank near the Andaman Islands amid heavy winds, rough seas and
overcrowded conditions.
The incident came to light after nine survivors
were rescued from the sea on 9 April, while the others still remain missing.
Relatives of the missing victims expressed
concern and urged authorities to take necessary steps.
Mohsena Begum, mother of a person who was on the
trawler, said, "The last time I spoke to my son was after he boarded the
trawler. He told me not to worry and promised to call back once he
reached."
"He hasn't called yet. Now I can only wait,
hoping my son will return," Mohsena added.
Gias Uddin, a resident of Pekua of Cox's Bazar,
said, "My brother was on that trawler. We still have no news of him. My
mother has fallen ill from constant crying."
Shahidul Islam, another guardian, said, "My
son was the only breadwinner of the family. He left in search of a better life.
Now there is no news of him."
"How are we supposed to survive?" he
asked.
According to local representatives, an organised
international human trafficking network is involved in the incident.
They alleged that the network lure poor and
desperate people with promises of a better life and send them on dangerous sea
journeys.
Rajakhali UP member Nezam Uddin Nezu said,
"We are standing by the families of the missing."
He also demanded that the traffickers be brought
under the law swiftly.
Pekua Police Station Officer-in-Charge Khairul
Alam said, "Higher officials of the administration continue to investigate
the matter."
Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Md
Mizanur Rahman stated that the protracted Rohingya crisis has increased despair
among people, pushing them towards such risky paths.
International organisations have also expressed
deep concern, noting that displacement, poverty, lack of employment, and
insecurity are driving people into such deadly traps.
In a joint statement, United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and International Organization for Migration
(IOM) said they were deeply saddened by the capsize.
The agencies described the incident as a stark
reminder of the risks faced by Rohingya refugees and other vulnerable groups
undertaking perilous sea journeys.
















