A humanitarian disaster may have unfolded off Myanmar after two boats carrying more than 500 people reportedly capsized in separate incidents.
The United Nations’ International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said the vessels left Myanmar’s conflict-hit Rakhine State in late June with mostly Rohingya refugees onboard.
Some of the passengers were also believed to have travelled from the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.
According to the UN, one boat carrying about 250 people lost contact shortly after leaving, while another with about 280 passengers is believed to have sunk near Myanmar’s Ayeyarwady coast on July 8.
“While the incidents and casualty figures have yet to be officially confirmed, UNHCR and IOM are gravely concerned by the potentially devastating loss of life,” the agencies said.
The UN noted that the journeys occurred outside the normal sailing season, when rough weather makes sea travel more dangerous.
It added, “Recent torrential rain and flooding across the region have further increased the risks associated with such sea movements.”
If confirmed, the tragedy would increase the number of people reported missing or dead in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal this year to nearly 800.
The agencies said worsening conflict in Myanmar, poor living conditions in refugee camps and the activities of human trafficking networks continue to force desperate people into dangerous sea crossings.
IOM and UNHCR called for stronger search and rescue operations, better protection for refugees, and tougher action against smuggling and trafficking networks while urging sustained international support for Rohingya refugees and host communities.
