People gather around a boat carrying newly-arrived Rohingya refugees, after authorities prevented the refugees from disembarking and ordered them to remain on board the vessel. (photo credit: CEK MAD/AFP via Getty Images) via TJP
By Reuters
The two vessels left Myanmar at the end of June, carrying passengers primarily from the Rohingya Muslim minority, in an effort to reach Malaysia, Indonesia, or Thailand.
“While the incidents and casualty figures have yet to be officially confirmed, UNHCR and IOM are gravely concerned by the potentially devastating loss of life.”
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Members of Myanmar’s Rohingya Muslim minority for years have risked their lives on flimsy wooden vessels, driven by violence at home and desperate conditions in crowded refugee camps in Bangladesh, hoping to reach safety and opportunity in countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, or Thailand.
With around 250 people onboard, the first boat lost contact shortly after departure, and a second vessel carrying around 280 people is believed to have sunk off Myanmar’s Ayeyarwady coast on July 8, the UN agencies said.
500 people feared dead after boats sink, many similar incidents this year
“These journeys took place outside the regular sailing season, when maritime conditions are typically more hazardous,” the statement said.
The agencies said that nearly 300 people are reported to be missing or dead in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal this year, including Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi nationals.
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