Rohingya Father Says Son Died After Boat Sinks in Andaman Sea

Photo: Arakan Now

Arakan Now | 19 April 2026

Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh – A Rohingya father says his 18-year-old son died after a migrant boat sank in the Andaman Sea, highlighting the dangers faced by refugees attempting to flee camps conditions.

Din Islam, 35, told Arakan Now that his son, Noor Kamal, left home on April 3 without informing the family. The boat carrying him departed the following evening. On April 12, the family received confirmation of his death from a survivor of the same journey.

The Survivor, Anamullah, 15, from Kutupalong camp, said the vessel was carrying both Rohingya and Bangladeshi passengers. He said he did not know the details of Noor Kamal's final moments but confirmed that the boat sank at sea.

"We learned that he died after the boat went down," Dini Islam said.

Noor Kamal had been a Class 9 student and attended school regularly, his father said. The family of eight survives on limited aid and daily wage labor. Dini Islam works in the camp market carrying goods for shopkeepers, earning a small income that he says is not enough to meet basic needs.

"We struggle every day to feed our family," he said. "Sometimes he asked for pocket money, but we could not provide it."

Dini Islam said he believes poverty, lack of opportunities, and the influence of human traffickers may have led his son to take the risky journey, a route commonly used by migrants trying to reach countries in Southeast Asia.

He called on authorities to take stronger action against trafficking networks and urged the international community to increase support for Rohingya refugees.

"We do not want other families to suffer this," he said. "We need support and a safe, dignified return to our homeland.