Over 500 Feared Dead in Rohingya Boat Tragedy

More than 500 people are feared dead after two boats carrying mostly Rohingya refugees capsized off the coast of Myanmar, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) said on Thursday.

According to preliminary information, the two vessels departed Myanmar's Rakhine State in late June carrying mostly Rohingya passengers.

One boat, carrying an estimated 250 people, lost contact shortly after departure, while another, believed to have been carrying around 280 people, reportedly capsized off Myanmar's Ayeyarwady coast on July 8.

"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," the agencies said in a joint statement.

Before these latest incidents, more than 300 people, including Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi nationals, had already been killed or reported missing this year while attempting dangerous crossings in the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal.

The agencies noted that Rohingya refugees fleeing Myanmar and refugee camps in Bangladesh typically avoid sea crossings during the monsoon season because of rough seas and hazardous weather. However, recent heavy rainfall and flooding across the region are believed to have made the journeys even more perilous.

Around 1.2 million stateless Rohingya continue to live in refugee camps in Bangladesh after fleeing waves of violence in Myanmar. Humanitarian conditions in the camps have deteriorated following significant reductions in foreign aid, leading to cuts in food assistance and other essential services.

With no safe conditions for returning to Myanmar, where the military remains in power and Rohingya continue to face severe restrictions, many refugees have resorted to dangerous sea voyages in search of safety and better opportunities in countries such as Malaysia.

Thousands have died along the route over the years, including children and pregnant women, while humanitarian groups have accused some maritime authorities of failing to rescue boats in distress.

The IOM and UNHCR said the latest suspected tragedy highlights the urgent need for durable solutions to the Rohingya crisis and called for greater international support for refugees in Bangladesh.

The agencies urged stronger regional and international cooperation to prevent further loss of life through enhanced search-and-rescue operations, improved access to asylum and protection, and tougher action against human smuggling and trafficking networks.

According to UNHCR, more than 6,500 Rohingya have attempted sea crossings in 2025, with nearly 900 reported dead or missing, making it the deadliest year on record for Rohingya undertaking such journeys and the world's deadliest major refugee and migrant sea route.