Record number of Rohingya refugees died at sea last year, UNHCR says
Summary
The United Nations refugee agency reported that nearly 900 Rohingya refugees died or went missing at sea in 2025, marking the deadliest year for these dangerous journeys in South and Southeast Asia. Many Rohingya continue to flee Myanmar and Bangladesh by boat, hoping to reach countries like Malaysia or Indonesia, despite the high risks.Key Facts
- About 900 Rohingya refugees were reported dead or missing at sea in 2025.
- The Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea are the main areas where these deaths occurred.
- Around 5,000 Rohingya refugees have drowned at sea over the past ten years.
- Many Rohingya fled Myanmar starting in 2017 due to ethnic cleansing and now live mainly in camps in Bangladesh.
- Reduced humanitarian aid and limited opportunities in camps lead some refugees to try dangerous boat trips.
- Over 2,800 Rohingya refugees tried to cross the sea in 2026 so far, mostly leaving from Bangladesh or Myanmar.
- More than half of the refugees making sea crossings are women and children, who face risks like trafficking.
- A boat carrying about 250 people sank recently in the Andaman Sea; only nine survivors were reported.
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