427 Rohingya Feared Dead at Sea, UNHCR Warns of Desperation

A boat that carried Rohingya refugees across the Andaman Sea is anchored offshore after the refugees disembarked at a beach in Aceh, Indonesia, on 8 January 2023.

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has expressed grave concern over two recent boat tragedies off the coast of Myanmar, in which an estimated 427 Rohingya refugees are feared to have drowned. If confirmed, it would mark the deadliest maritime disaster involving Rohingya this year.

So far in 2025, nearly one in five Rohingya attempting dangerous sea journeys has been reported dead or missing—making the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal among the most perilous migration routes globally.

Preliminary reports suggest a total of 514 individuals were aboard two separate boats. The first vessel, carrying 267 people, reportedly departed from Cox’s Bazar refugee camps in Bangladesh and Rakhine State in Myanmar. It sank on 9 May, leaving only 66 survivors.

The second boat, carrying 247 refugees from the same regions, capsized a day later on 10 May. Just 21 people survived.

UNHCR is working to verify the accounts and support the survivors. In addition, a third boat carrying approximately 188 Rohingya was reportedly intercepted off the Myanmar coast on 14 May.

"The dire humanitarian situation, worsened by severe funding cuts, is pushing Rohingya to take ever greater risks in search of safety, dignity and protection," said Hai Kyung Jun, UNHCR’s Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific. "This latest disaster is a tragic reminder of the urgent need for coordinated action, meaningful protection in countries of first asylum, and shared responsibility along migration routes."

The tragedies come amid the onset of the monsoon season, which brings high winds, torrential rain and rough seas—making maritime journeys even more treacherous. That boats are still setting sail highlights the desperation driving these dangerous escapes.

UNHCR reiterated that saving lives and rescuing those in distress at sea is both a humanitarian necessity and a binding obligation under international maritime law. The agency urged regional governments to take immediate action to prevent further loss of life.

The agency also called on the international community to increase support for host countries sheltering Rohingya refugees. Until conditions in Myanmar’s Rakhine State allow for safe and voluntary returns, ongoing support is essential to sustain humanitarian assistance.

UNHCR has appealed for $383.1 million in 2025 to assist Rohingya refugees and their host communities across Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Myanmar. As of now, only 30% of the required funding has been received.

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