Record number of Rohingya refugees died at sea last year, UNHCR says

"The UNHCR's spokesperson, Babar Baloch, described the area as an unmarked graveyard for thousands of desperate Rohingya refugees, noting that some 5,000 are thought to have drowned at sea over the last decade."

"Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees began fleeing Myanmar in 2017 amid an ethnic cleansing campaign, largely settling in refugee camps in Bangladesh, which continues to give refuge to those fleeing today."

"In recent years, over half of those making the sea journeys have been women and children, who are at risk of trafficking and exploitation."

The UN refugee agency reported nearly 900 Rohingya refugees dead or missing in 2025, marking the deadliest year for maritime movements in South Asia. Thousands continue to undertake perilous journeys in 2026. The spokesperson described the area as an unmarked graveyard, with around 5,000 believed to have drowned over the last decade. Many Rohingya fled Myanmar due to ethnic cleansing, settling in Bangladesh, where humanitarian aid has decreased. Over 2,800 have attempted sea crossings this year, facing risks of trafficking and exploitation, particularly women and children.

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