By Zainab Bakare
More than 500 people are feared dead after two boats carrying Rohingya refugees reportedly capsized off the coast of Myanmar, according to the United Nations.
In a joint statement, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said the vessels, which departed from Myanmar’s conflict-ridden Rakhine State in late June, were carrying more than 500 people, mostly members of the persecuted Rohingya minority. Some passengers were also believed to have travelled from refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.
One boat, carrying about 250 people, reportedly lost contact shortly after leaving shore, while a second vessel with around 280 people is believed to have sunk off Myanmar’s Ayeyarwady coast on July 8.
Although the incidents have not been officially confirmed, the UN agencies said they were deeply concerned by the potential scale of the tragedy.
The agencies noted that the journeys took place outside the normal sailing season, when rough seas, heavy rainfall and flooding make travel especially dangerous. If confirmed, the deaths would add to nearly 300 people already reported missing or dead in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal this year.
The UN said worsening conflict in Myanmar, poor living conditions in refugee camps in Bangladesh and the activities of human trafficking and smuggling networks continue to push desperate Rohingya families to risk dangerous sea crossings in search of safety.
The UNHCR and IOM called for stronger search and rescue operations, improved access to asylum and protection for refugees, and greater international efforts to combat human trafficking while addressing the root causes of displacement.
