More than 500 people are feared to have died following reports that two boats transporting members of the Rohingya minority capsized in the Bay of Bengal, Bangladeshi officials confirmed on Thursday.
According to a joint statement from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the two boats departed from Myanmar’s western Rakhine state in late June, carrying predominantly Rohingya passengers, amongst them some from refugee camps just across the border in Bangladesh.
One vessel is thought to have had approximately 250 people on board and lost all contact shortly after setting off. The second, reportedly carrying 280 passengers, is believed to have gone down off Myanmar’s Ayeyarwady coastline on 8th July.
The UNHCR and IOM noted that in recent years, the Rohingya population fleeing both Myanmar and Bangladeshi refugee camps have typically steered clear of such sea crossings at this time of year, when monsoon conditions render the waters particularly treacherous.
Both organisations expressed grave concern over the potentially catastrophic loss of life, highlighting that journeys of this nature are frequently hampered by torrential downpours and widespread flooding across the region at this time of year. Approximately 1.2 million stateless, predominantly Muslim Rohingya currently reside in refugee camps in Bangladesh, having escaped persecution and violence in Myanmar.
Myanmar’s military, which slaughtered thousands of Rohingya in 2017 during what the United States labelled a genocide, continues to control their homeland. Rohingya who remain in Myanmar endure harsh restrictions, with many trapped in internment camps, reports the Express.
“Stronger regional and international efforts are needed to prevent further loss of life along one of the world’s deadliest maritime routes, including through enhanced search and rescue efforts, access to asylum and protection, and actions against smuggling and trafficking networks,” the agencies said.
Over 6,500 Rohingya escaped while nearly 900 were reported dead or missing in 2025, marking it the deadliest year for Rohingya attempting sea departures. This figure constitutes the highest death rate of any major route for refugee and migrant maritime journeys globally, according to the UNHCR.
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