Over 500 feared dead after boats carrying Rohingya refugees sink in Bay of Bengal
One vessel, believed to have around 250 people on board, lost contact shortly after setting sail, while another carrying an estimated 280 passengers is thought to have capsized off Myanmar's Ayeyarwady coast on July 8.
More than 500 people are feared to have died after two boats carrying Rohingya refugees capsized in the Bay of Bengal off the coast of Myanmar, prompting the UN to warn of what could be one of the deadliest maritime disasters involving the persecuted minority in recent years.
On Thursday, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said that while the incidents and casualty figures were yet to be officially confirmed, they were "gravely concerned" by the potentially catastrophic loss of life.
According to preliminary information, the boats departed Myanmar's conflict-hit Rakhine state in late June.
Some passengers had also travelled from refugee camps in neighbouring Bangladesh.
One vessel, believed to have around 250 people on board, lost contact shortly after setting sail, while another carrying an estimated 280 passengers is thought to have 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.
The reported tragedy comes at a time when Rohingya rarely attempt sea crossings, as monsoon conditions make the Bay of Bengal particularly perilous.
The UN agencies noted that torrential rain and widespread flooding across the region would have made the journey even more dangerous.
Around 1.2 million stateless Rohingya continue to live in overcrowded refugee camps in Bangladesh after fleeing brutal military crackdowns in Myanmar.
Those who remain in Myanmar continue to face severe restrictions on movement and access to basic services, with many confined to internment camps.
The Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea route has claimed thousands of Rohingya lives over the years, including those of children, infants and pregnant women.
According to UNHCR data, more than 6,500 Rohingya attempted dangerous sea crossings in 2025, with nearly 900 reported dead or missing, making it the deadliest year on record for such journeys.
The agency said the route now has the highest mortality rate among the world's major refugee and migrant sea crossings.
More than 500 people are feared to have died after two boats carrying Rohingya refugees capsized in the Bay of Bengal off the coast of Myanmar, prompting the UN to warn of what could be one of the deadliest maritime disasters involving the persecuted minority in recent years.
On Thursday, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said that while the incidents and casualty figures were yet to be officially confirmed, they were "gravely concerned" by the potentially catastrophic loss of life.
According to preliminary information, the boats departed Myanmar's conflict-hit Rakhine state in late June.
Some passengers had also travelled from refugee camps in neighbouring Bangladesh.
One vessel, believed to have around 250 people on board, lost contact shortly after setting sail, while another carrying an estimated 280 passengers is thought to have 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.
The reported tragedy comes at a time when Rohingya rarely attempt sea crossings, as monsoon conditions make the Bay of Bengal particularly perilous.
The UN agencies noted that torrential rain and widespread flooding across the region would have made the journey even more dangerous.
Around 1.2 million stateless Rohingya continue to live in overcrowded refugee camps in Bangladesh after fleeing brutal military crackdowns in Myanmar.
Those who remain in Myanmar continue to face severe restrictions on movement and access to basic services, with many confined to internment camps.
The Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea route has claimed thousands of Rohingya lives over the years, including those of children, infants and pregnant women.
According to UNHCR data, more than 6,500 Rohingya attempted dangerous sea crossings in 2025, with nearly 900 reported dead or missing, making it the deadliest year on record for such journeys.
The agency said the route now has the highest mortality rate among the world's major refugee and migrant sea crossings.
More than 500 people are feared to have died after two boats carrying Rohingya refugees capsized in the Bay of Bengal off the coast of Myanmar, prompting the UN to warn of what could be one of the deadliest maritime disasters involving the persecuted minority in recent years.
On Thursday, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said that while the incidents and casualty figures were yet to be officially confirmed, they were "gravely concerned" by the potentially catastrophic loss of life.
According to preliminary information, the boats departed Myanmar's conflict-hit Rakhine state in late June.
Some passengers had also travelled from refugee camps in neighbouring Bangladesh.
One vessel, believed to have around 250 people on board, lost contact shortly after setting sail, while another carrying an estimated 280 passengers is thought to have 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.
The reported tragedy comes at a time when Rohingya rarely attempt sea crossings, as monsoon conditions make the Bay of Bengal particularly perilous.
The UN agencies noted that torrential rain and widespread flooding across the region would have made the journey even more dangerous.
Around 1.2 million stateless Rohingya continue to live in overcrowded refugee camps in Bangladesh after fleeing brutal military crackdowns in Myanmar.
Those who remain in Myanmar continue to face severe restrictions on movement and access to basic services, with many confined to internment camps.
The Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea route has claimed thousands of Rohingya lives over the years, including those of children, infants and pregnant women.
According to UNHCR data, more than 6,500 Rohingya attempted dangerous sea crossings in 2025, with nearly 900 reported dead or missing, making it the deadliest year on record for such journeys.
The agency said the route now has the highest mortality rate among the world's major refugee and migrant sea crossings.
