More than 500 people are feared dead after two boats carrying refugees reportedly capsized off the coast of Myanmar in recent weeks, a UN joint statement released on Thursday stated.
"According to preliminary information, two vessels which departed from Myanmar's Rakhine State in late June carrying mostly Rohingya passengers, reportedly including some who had travelled from refugee camps in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh," the statement said.
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) said the first boat, carrying around 250 people, lost contact shortly after setting out to sea. Another boat, carrying about 280 people, is believed to have capsized off Myanmar's Ayeyarwady coast on July 8.
"If verified, this tragedy would add to the nearly 300 people reported to be missing or to have lost their lives in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal so far this year, including Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi nationals," the statement said.
The refugees, most of whom belong to Muslim minority group from Myanmar's Rakhine State on the border of Bangladesh, have faced systematic persecution and displacement.
Besides, the Myanmar military has been convicted of carrying out atrocities against the Muslim minority in the country.
According to verified stats, more than 1.2 million Rohingya have since fled across the border to Bangladesh, where they live in squalid conditions in packed camps.
The UNHCR released disturbing numbers showing that more than 900 Rohingya who left Myanmar are reportedly missing (presumed dead) in 2026 due to several incidents in the Northern Indian Ocean in 2026. Most are attempting to reach safety and opportunity in countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, or Thailand.
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