Over 500 Missing After Capsizing of Two Boats off Myanmar

Concerns are mounting for over 500 people believed to have been on board two vessels that capsized off Myanmar’s coast in recent days. In a joint statement, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) confirmed that both boats had left from Myanmar’s Rakhine state in late June. Contact was lost with one vessel carrying around 250 individuals shortly after departure. A second boat, which reportedly had 280 passengers, is thought to have sunk off the Ayeyarwady coast on 8 July.

The occupants of the boats were primarily ethnic Rohingya people, who have faced systematic persecution in Myanmar. Some of those aboard had previously travelled from Cox’s Bazar refugee camp in Bangladesh, which houses around one million Rohingya who fled violence initiated by the Myanmar authorities in 2017. These crossings are notoriously perilous, as the vessels are often ill-equipped for the high seas and carry far more passengers than they safely can.

According to the UN agencies, these boats set sail outside the regular sailing season, a period known for treacherous conditions. "This reflects a troubling trend that has persisted over time. Many individuals, reportedly hundreds, have lost their lives in this very region and these same seas this year," commented Matthew Saltmarsh, spokesperson for UNHCR. Prior to this incident, nearly 300 individuals, including Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi nationals, had already been reported missing or confirmed dead in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal in 2023.

Recent heavy rainfall and flooding in the region have exacerbated the dangers associated with such journeys, as noted by the UNHCR. Conditions within Cox’s Bazar have also deteriorated, particularly due to significant funding reductions affecting refugees. Saltmarsh highlighted, “These incidents illustrate the devastating impact of ongoing conflict and displacement, alongside the continuing absence of sustainable solutions for Rohingya communities.”

The humanitarian situation in Myanmar remains critical, with ongoing civil strife linked to a military coup that occurred in February 2021. The lack of sufficient assistance and opportunities in refugee camps in Bangladesh has driven more individuals to undertake perilous sea crossings in search of safety and security.

A recent report from the UN human rights office indicated that foreign entities are still supplying arms, ammunition, and dual-use items to Myanmar's military. This situation presents a significant threat to local civilian protection initiatives aimed at ensuring access to essential services amid ongoing military operations against civilians.

The UN agencies are collaborating to coordinate search and rescue operations for vulnerable persons in transit, focusing on reception, protection, and long-term solutions across the Asia-Pacific region. These efforts fall under frameworks such as the Bali Process, which addresses issues related to people smuggling and trafficking in persons. This collaborative approach aims to save lives, protect vulnerable individuals, and assist countries in managing mixed migration flows effectively.