UN reports over 500 Rohingya feared dead in boat capsizings
6 reported2 unconfirmed
More than 500 people are feared dead after reports that two boats carrying Rohingya refugees capsized in the Bay of Bengal, according to a joint statement from the International Organization for Migration and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The two boats left Myanmar’s western state of Rakhine in late June carrying mostly Rohingya passengers, including some from refugee camps in Bangladesh. One boat believed to have around 250 people lost contact shortly after departure, and a second boat reportedly carrying 280 people is believed to have sunk off Myanmar’s Ayeyarwady coast on July 8. The agencies said the incidents and casualty figures have yet to be officially confirmed. Myanmar police Brig. Gen. Soe Lin Aung declined to comment, and other officials did not respond to requests for comment. The UN agencies urged stronger regional and international efforts to prevent further loss of life along what they described as one of the world’s deadliest maritime routes.
What’s reported
More than 500 people are feared dead after reports of two boats capsizing in the Bay of Bengal, according to UNHCR and IOM.
The boats left Myanmar’s Rakhine state in late June carrying mostly Rohingya passengers, some from Bangladesh refugee camps.
One boat with about 250 people lost contact shortly after departure; a second boat with 280 people is believed to have sunk on July 8.
The incidents and casualty figures have not been officially confirmed.
Myanmar police Brig. Gen. Soe Lin Aung declined to comment; other officials did not respond.
The UN agencies urged stronger search and rescue, asylum access, and action against smuggling networks.
Open questions
Whether the casualty figures will be officially confirmed.
The exact circumstances of the capsizings.
Key figures
Brig. Gen. Soe Lin Aung, acting police spokesperson for Myanmar’s Ministry of Home Affairs
International Organization for Migration (IOM)
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
Sources: abcnews.com
