Rohingya sea deaths near 900 in 2025: UN
Nearly 900 Rohingya refugees were reported dead or missing in the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal in 2025, making it the deadliest year on record for such crossings, the United Nations said on Friday.
Speaking at a press briefing in Geneva, UN refugee agency spokesperson Babar Baloch said that out of more than 6,500 Rohingya who attempted dangerous sea journeys last year, approximately one in seven were reported dead or missing. He described this as the highest mortality rate among major global refugee and migrant sea routes.
Most Rohingya refugees embark on these perilous journeys from overcrowded camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, where over one million people live after fleeing violence and persecution in Myanmar’s Rakhine state. Ongoing conflict in the region, including clashes between the military and the Arakan Army, continues to prevent safe return.
According to UNHCR estimates, around 200,000 Rohingya have attempted such sea crossings since 2012, with more than 5,000 deaths recorded over the past decade. Baloch described the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal as an “unmarked graveyard” for thousands of refugees.
He noted that while many Rohingya wish to return to Myanmar, the lack of security, citizenship rights, and basic protections leaves them with little hope. In addition, limited humanitarian assistance in Bangladesh, along with insecurity in the camps and restricted access to education and livelihoods, continues to push refugees toward risky migration routes.
UNHCR data shows that more than half of those attempting these journeys in recent years are women and children.
So far in 2026, more than 2,800 Rohingya have already undertaken dangerous sea crossings. The latest figures come after a recent boat tragedy in the Andaman Sea, where a vessel carrying around 280 Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi migrants capsized earlier this month while en route to Malaysia.
The boat, which departed from Teknaf on April 4, reportedly sank due to rough weather and overcrowding. While nine people were rescued, around 250 are believed to be missing.
UNHCR said it is providing medical and psychosocial support to survivors and urged governments to address the root causes of displacement, expand safe migration pathways, and strengthen regional cooperation to prevent further loss of life.
