UNHCR fears hundreds of Rohingya died at sea amid perilous conditions

In Myanmar and Bangladesh, the plight of the Rohingya continues to worsen amid increasing dangers at sea. The UN refugee agency reported fears that 427 Rohingya, who sought refuge from Myanmar, have tragically perished in separate boat incidents this month. These tragedies are part of an ongoing crisis affecting the Rohingya community, which has been marginalized and victimized over the years. The details surrounding the two boats that sank are alarming. The first vessel had left from a refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, and was en route to Rakhine State in Myanmar to collect additional passengers. That boat sank on May 9, leading to the loss of hundreds, with only 66 individuals surviving out of 267 onboard. This incident highlights the extreme risks that many Rohingya take in their attempts for safer passage. The situation was exacerbated a day later when a second boat, carrying 247 individuals, capsized as well, resulting in only 21 survivors being reported. The rising number of reported deaths at sea indicates a significant increase compared to the cases recorded earlier in the year. Before these recent tragedies, about 30 Rohingya were noted as deceased or missing in maritime journeys in 2025 alone. The plight of these individuals arises from their desperate need to flee the unbearable conditions in Myanmar and the refugee camps, where around 1 million Rohingya are currently living under harsh circumstances. This includes survivors from a brutal military-led campaign in 2017 that forced around 740,000 individuals to escape. UNHCR officials have raised concerns regarding the maritime conditions that are becoming increasingly perilous due to the monsoon season, characterized by strong winds and rough seas. These conditions not only affect the boats' stability but also pose severe challenges for any potential rescue operations. Previously, the organization noted that 657 people died or went missing from similar boat journeys in the preceding year. Despite officials being aware of the locations of some boats, there have been instances where maritime authorities abandoned them to their fate. This lack of intervention raises significant humanitarian concerns for the Rohingya and other migrants at sea, as many continue to undertake treacherous journeys in search of safety and stability.