More than 500 people are feared dead after two boats carrying refugees reportedly sink off Myanmar’s coast, according to preliminary information released by the United Nations on Thursday. The tragedy highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis facing Rohingya refugees, many of whom continue to undertake dangerous sea journeys in search of safety and better living conditions.
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The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said the two boats departed Myanmar’s Rakhine State in late June, carrying mostly Rohingya refugees. Some passengers were also believed to have come from refugee camps in neighbouring Bangladesh.
According to the UN agencies, the first vessel, carrying around 250 people, lost contact shortly after leaving shore. A second boat with approximately 280 people on board is believed to have sunk near Myanmar’s Irrawaddy coast on July 8. While authorities have not officially confirmed the incidents or casualty figures, the agencies expressed grave concern over the potential scale of the disaster.
The Rohingya, a persecuted Muslim minority in Myanmar, have long fled violence, discrimination and statelessness. Many risk hazardous sea crossings to reach countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand in hopes of finding protection and economic opportunities.
The UN noted that these voyages took place outside the normal sailing season, when rough weather makes maritime travel even more dangerous. Last year alone, nearly 900 Rohingya refugees were reported dead or missing in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal, making it the world’s deadliest maritime route for refugees and migrants.
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The Rohingya crisis began escalating in 2017 after a military crackdown in Myanmar forced hundreds of thousands to flee to Bangladesh. Since the 2021 military coup, conflict has intensified across Myanmar, further worsening conditions in Rakhine State.
The UN has called for urgent international action to improve refugee protection, expand safe migration pathways and prevent further loss of life in the region.