UNHCR urges action to rescue Rohingyas adrift at Andaman sea

The UN Refugee Agency has urged regional countries to immediately rescue and safely disembark around 200 Rohingyas who have been stranded on a boat off the coast of Thailand in the Andaman Sea.

Reports suggest the non-sea boat has been adrift since December 1, after its engines broke down, UNHCR said in a statement today.

"Those on board have been without food and water for days and are suffering from extreme dehydration," it said.

Unverified information suggests several Rohingya refugees have already lost their lives. There is a significant risk of additional fatalities in the coming days if people are not rescued and disembarked to safety, the statement read.

"We appeal to all authorities in the region to fully deploy their rescue capacities and promptly facilitate disembarkation for this group to a place of safety. The priority must now be to save lives and avoid even greater tragedy," the statement added.