People fleeing conflict zones continue to turn to risky sea routes in the hope of finding a safe haven.
According to sea-news.az that United Nations (UN) agencies have announced that more than 500 people may have died following the sinking of two boats in Myanmars waters.
According to a joint statement by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the vessels departed from Myanmar’s Rakhine State at the end of June. The passengers were primarily members of the Rohingya Muslim community from camps in Bangladesh.
“While official data has yet to be confirmed, we are deeply concerned about the possibility of massive loss of life,” the UN stated.
Contact was lost with the first vessel, which was carrying 250 people, shortly after it set sail. The other vessel, carrying approximately 280 passengers, is believed to have been wrecked near the Irrawaddy River delta on July 8. According to experts, this dangerous journey was undertaken during the adverse weather season, when shipping in the region is officially prohibited.
Every year, thousands of Rohingya put their lives at risk in flimsy wooden boats, aiming to reach the coasts of Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. According to UN statistics, nearly 300 migrants have died or gone missing in the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea since the beginning of this year alone.
