Officials reported on Thursday that more than 500 individuals are presumed dead after two vessels carrying members of Myanmar's persecuted Rohingya minority capsized in the Bay of Bengal.

According to preliminary information, the two vessels departed Myanmar's western state of Rakhine in late June, carrying mostly Rohingya passengers, some of whom had traveled from refugee camps across the border in Bangladesh, as stated in a joint release from the International Organization for Migration and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

One vessel, believed to have been carrying approximately 250 individuals, lost contact shortly after departure.

A second boat, reportedly transporting 280 people, is thought to have sunk off Myanmar’s Ayeyarwady coast on July 8.

"Although the incidents and casualty figures have yet to be officially confirmed, UNHCR and IOM are deeply concerned about the potentially catastrophic loss of life," the agencies stated.

The Rohingya, who have fled Myanmar and Bangladesh's squalid refugee camps in their thousands in recent years, typically avoid such boat journeys at this time of year, when monsoons are frequent and sea conditions are particularly hazardous.

The UNHCR and IOM noted this in their statement, observing that recent torrential rain and flooding across the region would have rendered such journeys especially perilous.

Approximately 1.2 million stateless Rohingya, who are predominantly Muslim, remain trapped in overcrowded refugee camps in Bangladesh after fleeing repeated waves of violence perpetrated by Myanmar's security forces.

The Rohingya refugees cannot safely return to Myanmar, as the military—which killed thousands of Rohingya in 2017 in what the United States has classified as a genocide—still controls their homeland.

Those Rohingya who remain in Myanmar face severe restrictions, with many confined to internment camps.

The significant cuts in foreign aid from the U.S. and other countries have led to reduced rations in Bangladesh's refugee camps, while the ruling military and an ethnic armed group in Rakhine continue to compete for control of the region.

The escalating unrest has driven a growing number of Rohingya to attempt the perilous sea crossing to Malaysia in dilapidated vessels.

Thousands have perished in the process, among them infants, children, and pregnant women.

Local maritime authorities have frequently abandoned the Rohingya at sea, often disregarding reports of vessels in distress.

The IOM and UNHCR stated on Thursday that the latest potential maritime disaster highlights the persistent lack of sustainable solutions for the Rohingya, and urged the international community to support those trapped in Bangladesh's camps.

"Stronger regional and international efforts are needed to prevent further loss of life along one of the world's deadliest maritime routes, including through enhanced search and rescue operations, improved access to asylum and protection, and decisive action against smuggling and trafficking networks," the agencies said.

In 2025, more than 6,500 Rohingya fled, and nearly 900 were reported dead or missing, marking the deadliest year for those attempting to leave by boat.

According to the UNHCR, this figure represents the highest mortality rate of any major sea route for refugees and migrants worldwide.