Over 500 Rohingya refugees feared dead in two shipwrecks off Myanmar, UN agencies warn

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have issued a stark warning: over 500 Rohingya refugees may have perished in two separate shipwrecks off the coast of Myanmar. The agencies expressed extreme concern over the potential human toll from these perilous journeys.

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extremely concerned by the potentially considerable loss of human lives

Both boats departed from Myanmar's western Rakhine state in late June. One vessel, estimated to be carrying around 250 people, lost all contact shortly after setting sail. The second boat, with approximately 280 passengers, reportedly sank off the coast of the Ayeyarwady region on July 8. While these incidents and casualty figures await official confirmation, the potential for such a significant loss of life has alarmed international humanitarian organizations.

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These crossings took place outside the usual sailing season, a period when sea conditions are generally more dangerous. The torrential rains and floods that recently hit the region have further increased the risks associated with these maritime displacements.

These maritime displacements are part of a larger, tragic trend. The UNHCR reported that nearly 900 Rohingya refugees died or went missing in the northern Indian Ocean in 2025 while attempting dangerous sea crossings. Since January, an additional 300 individuals, including Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi nationals, have been reported missing or presumed dead in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal. These journeys are undertaken in makeshift boats, often outside the usual safe sailing seasons, increasing the inherent dangers.

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The intensification of the conflict and the deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Myanmar, combined with the lack of aid and prospects in the refugee camps in Bangladesh, are pushing an increasing number of people to undertake perilous crossings.

The UNHCR and IOM attribute these desperate crossings to the escalating conflict and deteriorating humanitarian situation in Myanmar. Compounded by a lack of aid and bleak prospects in the refugee camps in Bangladesh, more people are driven to risk their lives at sea. The agencies are calling for intensified regional and international efforts to prevent further loss of life and urge sustained international support for Rohingya refugees and their host communities, particularly acknowledging Bangladesh's long-standing generosity.

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regional and international efforts