More than 500 people are feared dead after two suspected boat disasters off the coast of Myanmar, according to a warning issued by the United Nations.
In a joint statement released on Thursday, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) said they were deeply concerned by reports that two vessels carrying more than 500 people may have capsized in recent days.
Preliminary findings indicate that the boats departed from Myanmar’s conflict-affected Rakhine State in late June, with most passengers believed to be members of the persecuted Rohingya Muslim minority. Some of the passengers were also reportedly travelling from the overcrowded refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, where more than one million Rohingya refugees currently live.
According to the UN agencies, one of the vessels, believed to have carried about 250 people, lost contact shortly after setting sail. A second boat, carrying an estimated 280 passengers, is believed to have sunk near 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.
They noted that the journeys occurred outside the usual sailing season, a period when sea conditions are generally considered more dangerous. Heavy rainfall and widespread flooding across the region have further increased the risks for people travelling by sea.
The UN warned that, if confirmed, the latest tragedy would add to the nearly 300 people already reported missing or dead in the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal this year, including Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi nationals.
Rising Risks for Rohingya Refugees
Every year, many Rohingya attempt dangerous sea crossings in search of safety, work and better living conditions. The journeys are often made in overcrowded and poorly equipped boats operated by smuggling and trafficking networks.
UNHCR estimates that nearly 900 Rohingya refugees were reported missing or dead at sea in the northern Indian Ocean in 2025 alone, out of more than 6,500 people who attempted the journey.
The agencies said the latest reported shipwrecks highlight the continuing impact of conflict, displacement and the lack of lasting solutions for Rohingya communities.
“Escalating conflict and a worsening humanitarian situation in Myanmar, along with limited assistance and opportunities in refugee camps in Bangladesh, contribute to increasing numbers of people attempting perilous sea journeys in search of safety and protection,” the statement said.
They also warned that smuggling and trafficking groups continue to exploit vulnerable people fleeing insecurity and poverty.
“The reported incidents also highlight the persistent risks posed by smuggling and trafficking networks, which continue to exploit the desperation of people seeking safety,” the agencies added.
UN Calls for Search, Rescue and Protection
IOM and UNHCR urged governments in the region to strengthen search-and-rescue operations, provide access to asylum and protection for survivors, and intensify efforts to dismantle trafficking and smuggling networks.
The agencies also praised Bangladesh for continuing to host large numbers of Rohingya refugees and called for increased international support for both the refugees and the communities sheltering them.
They stressed that long-term efforts are needed to address the root causes of displacement and prevent more desperate and dangerous sea journeys in the future.
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