Over 500 Rohingya Feared Dead in Boat Capsizing
Over 500 Rohingya refugees are feared dead after two boats capsized off Myanmar's coast in late June and early July, according to UN and international migration agencies. The vessels were carrying passengers from refugee camps in Bangladesh
More than 500 people, mostly Rohingya, are feared missing after two boats reportedly capsized off Myanmar, according to the UN refugee agency and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The vessels departed from Myanmar's Rakhine State in late June carrying passengers from Rohingya refugee camps in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. One boat carrying around 250 people lost contact shortly after departure, while another with approximately 280 passengers is believed to have sunk off Myanmar's Ayeyarwady coast on July 8. Though the incidents remain unconfirmed, UNHCR and IOM have warned of potentially devastating loss of life. If verified, this tragedy would bring the total missing or dead in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal this year to nearly 300. The agencies attribute the increased dangerous sea journeys to worsening conflict in Myanmar and limited opportunities for Rohingya refugees, and have called for stronger search and rescue efforts and action against human smuggling networks.
