Hundreds feared dead as two boats sink near Myanmar

The United Nations has shown serious concern following the report that over 500 people might have perished in two separate boat accidents in the vicinity of Myanmar.

According to a joint statement made by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the organizations are seriously concerned about the report indicating that two boats loaded with over 500 passengers possibly overturned within recent days.

According to preliminary information, the boats sailed out of Myanmar’s volatile state of Rakhine at the end of June. The majority of passengers on board these vessels were Rohingyas who were trying to escape persecution and worsening humanitarian situation in the region.

Some passengers were reported to have come from the enormous camps located in Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh, where over one million Rohingyas refugees that had escaped from Rakhine are living under terrible conditions.

According to the statement, one boat, which was thought to carry around 250 passengers, went missing soon after its departure.

Another vessel, which was thought to be carrying 280 people, sank off 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 statement said.

The UN agencies highlighted that the journeys “took place outside the regular sailing season, when maritime conditions are typically more hazardous”.

“Recent torrential rain and flooding across the region have further increased the risks associated with such sea movements.”

The statement cautioned that “if verified, this 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”.

The Rohingya undertake perilous sea journeys every year in search of better living conditions, travelling aboard rickety boats often operated by trafficking networks.

According to UNHCR, nearly 900 Rohingya refugees were reported missing or dead at sea in the northern Indian Ocean last year alone — out of more than 6,500 who had attempted such perilous sea crossings.

Thursday’s statement stressed that the latest reported tragedies “underscore the devastating impact of protracted conflict and displacement, as well as the continued lack of sustainable solutions for Rohingya communities”.

“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,” they pointed out.

“The reported incidents also highlight the persistent risks posed by smuggling and trafficking networks, which continue to exploit the desperation of people seeking safety,” they added.

IOM and UNHCR called for “enhanced search and rescue efforts, access to asylum and protection, and actions against smuggling and trafficking networks”.

The agencies hailed Bangladesh for its “remarkable generosity in hosting Rohingya refugees for many years”, but stressed the need for “sustained international support” for the refugees and host communities, as well as “greater efforts to address the underlying drivers of forced displacement”.