Over 500 Rohingya refugees feared lost at sea after boats disappear off Myanmar coast

Around 530 Rohingya refugees are feared lost at sea, with two boats that departed from Myanmar's Rakhine state on June 29 having gone missing. These vessels, believed to be modified fishing boats, were likely caught in rough seas as the monsoon season began, raising grave concerns about their fate.

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Around 530 Rohingya refugees are believed to be missing at sea after two boats carrying them from Rakhine State, Myanmar, have not been detected since June 29.

The boats, not designed for long voyages and prone to engine trouble, were reportedly carrying as many passengers as possible. The chances of finding survivors are considered slim, with estimates suggesting that half of those on board may have been women and children. The exact cause of the incident remains uncertain.

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The boats used are usually old fishing boats modified to carry as many passengers as possible, but their condition is unsuitable for long voyages and they often experience engine problems.

Chris Lewa, founder of the Arakan Project, which advocates for the Rohingya community, is attempting to piece together what happened. However, her efforts are hampered by the difficulty in contacting anyone in Sittwe or Sin Tet Maw, a village controlled by the Arakan Army and a known departure point for such journeys. Based on fragmented information, Lewa believes both boats left on June 29, one in the morning and another later that day, heading towards southern Myanmar before disembarking for a perilous overland journey through Thailand to Malaysia.

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The chances of finding survivors are believed to be very slim.

Lewa noted that families typically expect news within a week or ten days of departure. The absence of any information after nearly three weeks is deeply worrying. The discovery of bodies by authorities in Bangladesh and fishermen in Mon state, nine days later, suggests the boats likely capsized shortly after departure or after several days at sea. This incident occurs as over a million Rohingya refugees live in overcrowded camps in Bangladesh, facing dwindling humanitarian aid, scarce job opportunities, and the presence of organized crime, with limited freedom to leave the settlements.

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We are trying to gather information to find out what might have happened to both boats.