The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) is investigating reports that two boats carrying Rohingya refugees from Myanmar capsized in the Bay of Bengal after departing Rakhine State in late June, raising fears of significant loss of life amid one of the world’s deadliest refugee sea routes.

In a statement issued Tuesday, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said it was working to verify the reports while expressing deep concern over the potential humanitarian tragedy.

“We are deeply concerned by the potential loss of life and are working to verify further details,” the agency said.

UNHCR did not disclose how many people were believed to have been aboard the vessels or where the reported sinkings occurred.

Desperate Journeys Continue Amid Growing Crisis

The reported incidents come as increasing numbers of Rohingya continue to undertake dangerous sea voyages in search of safety and protection, driven by worsening humanitarian conditions in refugee camps and ongoing conflict inside Myanmar.

Approximately 1.2 million stateless Rohingya refugees remain in overcrowded camps in Bangladesh after fleeing successive waves of violence in Myanmar, particularly the military crackdown in 2017 that the United States later described as genocide.

UNHCR noted that Rohingya refugees remain unable to return safely to Myanmar, where the military continues to exercise power while many Rohingya still inside Rakhine State face severe movement restrictions and prolonged confinement in camps.

Aid Cuts and Conflict Fuel Dangerous Migration

The refugee agency said deep reductions in international humanitarian assistance, including funding cuts by the United States and other donor countries, have further worsened living conditions in Bangladesh’s refugee camps.

Reduced food assistance, combined with renewed fighting between Myanmar’s military and the Arakan Army in Rakhine State, has pushed more Rohingya families to risk dangerous journeys across the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea toward countries such as Malaysia.

Humanitarian organizations have repeatedly warned that overcrowding, insecurity and declining aid are increasing desperation among displaced Rohingya communities.

Deadliest Sea Route for Refugees

UNHCR described the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea route as one of the world’s deadliest migration corridors.

According to the agency, more than 6,500 Rohingya attempted to flee by sea during 2025, while nearly 900 people were reported dead or missing, making it the deadliest year on record for Rohingya maritime movements.

The agency said the mortality rate along the route was the highest among all major refugee and migrant sea crossings worldwide.

So far this year, more than 5,400 Rohingya have reportedly attempted the journey by boat, with at least 540 people reported dead or missing.

Thousands of Rohingya—including women, children and pregnant mothers—are believed to have died attempting similar crossings over the past decade.

UN Calls for Urgent Search and Rescue

UNHCR urged governments across the region to strengthen maritime search-and-rescue operations and uphold their obligations under international law.

“Saving lives and rescuing those in distress at sea is a humanitarian imperative and a longstanding duty under international maritime law,” the agency said.

The refugee agency also called on regional governments and the international community to take stronger collective action to protect Rohingya refugees undertaking dangerous sea journeys and to address the root causes driving their displacement.

Humanitarian organizations continue to stress that durable solutions to the Rohingya crisis require safe, voluntary and dignified repatriation to Myanmar under conditions that guarantee citizenship, security and fundamental human rights.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR