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The International Organization for Migration and UNHCR issued a joint statement expressing deep concern over reports that two overcrowded vessels carrying more than 500 people had gone missing or sunk in the Bay of Bengal. One boat believed to hold around 250 passengers lost contact shortly after departure while a second vessel with some 280 people is thought to have sunk off Myanmar’s Ayeyarwady coast on July 8. The agencies noted that these journeys took place outside the regular sailing season when maritime conditions are typically more hazardous and that recent torrential rain and flooding across the region have further increased the risks associated with such sea movements. 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 according to the statement.
Bangladesh authorities recovered the body of one woman washed ashore while fishermen found several other bodies nine days later along the coast between the Irrawaddy delta and Mon state a BBC report detailed. Chris Lewa who runs the Arakan Project told the broadcaster he was confident both boats had left Sin Tet Maw in Rakhine State on June 29 one in the morning and the other later that day. Families of those on board normally expect word within a week or 10 days but nearly three weeks had passed with no contact Lewa added in the account.
If verified the latest tragedy would add to the nearly 300 people reported to be missing or to have lost their lives in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal so far this year including Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi nationals IOM and UNHCR figures show. UNHCR data places the 2025 toll at nearly 900 Rohingya who died or went missing on similar crossings making it the deadliest year on record for the maritime route according to the agency. More than 6500 Rohingya attempted the sea journey in 2025 a sharp rise driven by worsening conditions at home and in exile UNHCR assessments found.
Escalating conflict and a worsening humanitarian situation in Myanmar along with limited assistance and opportunities in refugee camps in Bangladesh contribute to increasing numbers of people attempting perilous sea journeys in search of safety and protection the agencies stated. Over one million Rohingya live in overcrowded camps in southern Bangladesh where aid has been drying up and there are few jobs while an estimated 600000 remain in Rakhine State with one quarter confined to internal displacement camps according to the BBC report. The military junta has subjected men to forced conscription and the Arakan Army which controls much of the region distrusts the Rohingya community and has been accused of human rights violations against them.
Smugglers charge between 2000 and 4000 dollars per person for the dangerous passage and families who cannot pay risk detention and beatings with videos sent as demands the BBC report described. The vessels typically head for the southern Myanmar coast to transfer passengers to smaller boats for overland movement through Thailand toward the Malaysian border where an existing Rohingya community offers some hope of refuge. These operations rely on mother ships satellite phones and networks spanning Bangladesh Myanmar Thailand Malaysia and Indonesia with routes shifting after a 2015 Thai crackdown that closed land camps and pushed boats toward Indonesia where initial welcomes later turned hostile.
Stronger regional and international efforts are needed to prevent further loss of life along one of the world’s deadliest maritime routes including through enhanced search and rescue efforts access to asylum and protection and actions against smuggling and trafficking networks the IOM and UNHCR statement said. The agencies called for sustained international support for Rohingya refugees and the communities hosting them in Bangladesh while addressing underlying drivers of forced displacement. UNHCR and IOM are working with national authorities to strengthen protection and solutions for refugees migrants and stateless people moving along key routes in South and Southeast Asia through a route-based approach aimed at saving lives and reducing harm.
