The United Nations warned on Thursday, July 16, 2026, that more than 500 people are feared dead following reports of two large shipwrecks off the coast of Myanmar since late June. The UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM) and its refugee agency UNHCR issued a joint statement expressing alarm over reports that two boats carrying over 500 people may have capsized off Myanmar's coast in recent days.

Preliminary information indicates that the vessels departed from Myanmar’s war-torn Rakhine State in late June, carrying mainly members of the country's mostly Muslim Rohingya minority. Some passengers reportedly traveled from refugee camps in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, where over a million Rohingya refugees live in difficult conditions.

One boat, believed to have carried around 250 people, lost contact shortly after departure. A second boat, reportedly carrying approximately 280 people, is believed to have sunk off Myanmar’s Ayeyarwady coast on July 8.

While the incidents and casualty figures have yet to be officially confirmed, UNHCR and IOM expressed grave concern over the potentially devastating loss of life. The statement cautioned that if verified, this tragedy would add to nearly 300 people reported missing or dead in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal so far in 2026, including Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi nationals.

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 attempted such perilous crossings. The statement emphasized that these tragedies underscore the devastating impact of protracted conflict and displacement, as well as the lack of sustainable solutions for Rohingya communities.

The UN agencies also highlighted that recent torrential rains and flooding have increased the risks associated with such sea movements, which took place outside the regular sailing season when maritime conditions are typically more hazardous. They further noted the persistent dangers posed by smuggling and trafficking networks exploiting the desperation of people seeking safety.

These incidents occur amid escalating conflict and worsening humanitarian conditions in Myanmar, coupled with limited assistance and opportunities in refugee camps in Bangladesh, driving increasing numbers of people to attempt dangerous sea journeys in search of protection.

Sources