UN agencies say initial reports indicate massive human losses.
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More than 500 people are believed to be missing after two boats carrying Rohingya refugees capsized off the coast of Myanmar's Rakhine state in late June, UN agencies have said. One boat, carrying about 250 people, went missing shortly after setting off, the UN said. Another boat, carrying about 280 people, is believed to have capsized on July 8 off Myanmar's Ayeyarwady coast. UN agencies said initial reports indicated a large loss of life. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) issued a joint statement. The majority of the passengers on the boats were members of the Rohingya Muslim minority. Some people living in the refugee camp in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, also boarded the boat with plans to return to Myanmar. More than one million Rohingya refugees are living in the refugee camp in Cox's Bazar.
UNHCR and IOM have expressed serious concern about the potential huge loss of life and property, although official confirmation of the incident is yet to be confirmed.
Both agencies said the journeys took place outside the normal sea travel season, adding that sea conditions were extremely dangerous at the time and that recent incessant rains and floods had increased the risk.
Every year, Rohingya people embark on dangerous sea journeys operated by people smugglers in search of safety and better opportunities.
According to UNHCR, about 900 of the more than 6,500 Rohingya crossing the northern Indian Ocean last year alone were reported missing or dead.
UN agencies have said that the ongoing conflict in Myanmar, the deteriorating humanitarian situation, and limited assistance and opportunities in refugee camps in Bangladesh are forcing the Rohingya to make risky sea journeys.
They also expressed concern that human trafficking and smuggling networks are taking advantage of their desperation.
IOM and UNHCR have urged the international community to scale up search and rescue operations, ensure access to asylum and protection, and take effective action against human trafficking and smuggling networks.
They also commended Bangladesh for hosting Rohingya refugees for years, and stressed the need for long-term international support for refugees and the communities hosting them, and for more efforts to address the root causes of forced displacement.
