The United Nations says more than 500 people are feared dead after reports of two large shipwrecks off the coast of Myanmar since late June. In a joint statement, the UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM) and UNHCR warn that two boats carrying more than 500 people “may have capsized” in recent days.
Preliminary information indicates that the two vessels likely departed from Myanmar’s Rakhine State in late June. Sources cited by the UN describe the passengers as mainly belonging to Myanmar’s mostly Muslim Rohingya minority, a community that has faced long-running persecution and displacement in the country. The reports come as refugees continue to make dangerous maritime journeys in search of safety and better opportunities.
Some outlets also note that the alleged journeys occurred outside the regular sailing season, when sea conditions are often more hazardous. The UN has not reported confirmed deaths or the location details beyond the general area off Myanmar’s coast, and the situation remains based on early information and ongoing reports.
