More Than 500 People Feared Dead After Boats Carrying Rohingya Refugees Sink Off Myanmar Coast, UN Says

Over 500 individuals are feared dead after two refugee boats capsized off Myanmar’s coast, as reported by the UN Refugee agency on Thursday.

More than 500 people are feared dead after two boats carrying refugees reportedly capsized off Myanmar’s coast in recent days, the United Nations said on Thursday, highlighting the continued risks faced by those fleeing the conflict-ridden country.

In a joint statement, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said preliminary information indicates the vessels departed Myanmar’s Rakhine State in late June, carrying mostly Rohingya refugees. The passengers reportedly included people who had travelled from refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, in search of safety and better opportunities.

“While the incidents and casualty figures have yet to be officially confirmed, UNHCR and IOM are gravely concerned by the potentially devastating loss of life.”

“These journeys took place outside the regular sailing season, when maritime conditions are typically more hazardous,” the statement said.

Thousands belonging to Myanmar’s Rohingya Muslim minority have been risking their lives for several years while travelling on wooden vessels due to violence at home and desperate conditions in crowded refugee camps in Bangladesh, hoping to reach safety and opportunity in countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia or Thailand.

It is reported that nearly 300 people are reported to be missing or dead in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal this year, including Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi nationals.