(Geneva, 16th) – The United Nations has warned that two major shipwrecks are suspected to have occurred off the coast of Myanmar in late June, with fears that more than 500 people have either died or gone missing, the vast majority being Rohingya fleeing conflict.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) issued a joint statement on Thursday, indicating that initial information suggests two boats departed in late June from Myanmar’s conflict-ridden Rakhine State, carrying a total of over 500 people, most of whom are members of the Rohingya Muslim minority.
The statement noted that some passengers originated from refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. These camps currently host over one million Rohingya refugees who have fled Rakhine State, facing harsh living conditions for an extended period.
According to initial reports, one boat carrying around 250 people lost contact shortly after departing; another boat, carrying about 280 people, was reportedly wrecked on July 8 off the coastal area of Myanmar’s Irrawaddy region.
The United Nations stated that information about the accidents and casualties has yet to be officially confirmed, but if the reports are accurate, the number of missing or deceased in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal would further increase this year. Previously, nearly 300 Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi citizens had already been reported dead or missing in these two bodies of water.
The United Nations pointed out that Rohingya people risk sea journeys on rickety boats each year to escape poverty, conflict, and persecution, with many voyages controlled by human trafficking groups, making them extremely dangerous.
According to UNHCR statistics, more than 6,500 Rohingya people have attempted dangerous sea crossings in 2025 alone, with nearly 900 missing or dead in the northern Indian Ocean.
The United Nations emphasized that this suspected boat disaster once again highlights the severe humanitarian crisis brought by prolonged conflict, displacement, and the unresolved Rohingya issue.
The statement noted that some passengers originated from refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. These camps currently host over one million Rohingya refugees who have fled Rakhine State, facing harsh living conditions for an extended period.
According to initial reports, one boat carrying around 250 people lost contact shortly after departing; another boat, carrying about 280 people, was reportedly wrecked on July 8 off the coastal area of Myanmar’s Irrawaddy region.
The United Nations stated that information about the accidents and casualties has yet to be officially confirmed, but if the reports are accurate, the number of missing or deceased in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal would further increase this year. Previously, nearly 300 Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi citizens had already been reported dead or missing in these two bodies of water.
The United Nations pointed out that Rohingya people risk sea journeys on rickety boats each year to escape poverty, conflict, and persecution, with many voyages controlled by human trafficking groups, making them extremely dangerous.
According to UNHCR statistics, more than 6,500 Rohingya people have attempted dangerous sea crossings in 2025 alone, with nearly 900 missing or dead in the northern Indian Ocean.
The United Nations emphasized that this suspected boat disaster once again highlights the severe humanitarian crisis brought by prolonged conflict, displacement, and the unresolved Rohingya issue.