The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have raised serious concerns over the fate of more than 500 Rohingya believed to have been aboard two boats that disappeared or sank off Myanmar's Ayeyarwady coast.
The two vessels reportedly left Rakhine State in June carrying mostly Rohingya passengers. Some of those on board were believed to have departed from refugee camps in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh.
The IOM said contact was lost with one boat carrying around 250 people shortly after its departure. A second vessel, carrying an estimated 280 passengers, is believed to have sunk off the Ayeyarwady coast on July 8.
Although the reports have not yet been officially confirmed, the UN agencies warned that the incident could become one of the year's deadliest maritime tragedies involving Rohingya refugees.
The IOM said the possible disaster comes amid worsening conflict and humanitarian conditions in Myanmar, while limited opportunities and assistance in Bangladesh's refugee camps are driving more Rohingya to undertake dangerous sea journeys in search of safety and protection.
The agency urged the international community to strengthen search and rescue efforts, expand access to protection and asylum, and intensify action against human smuggling and trafficking networks.
Photo: Social Media (Old Photo)
