Over 500 Rohingya missing after two boats disappear from Myanmar

Two boats carrying an estimated 530 Rohingya migrants vanished after departing Myanmar on 29 June, prompting a coordinated search effort by regional authorities and humanitarian groups. The vessels, reportedly overloaded and heading toward the Bangladeshi coast, lost contact with authorities shortly after leaving the Rakhine State shoreline, and no distress signals have been confirmed.

Officials from Myanmar’s maritime agency, Bangladesh’s Coast Guard, and several NGOs have launched aerial and sea patrols to locate the missing boats, while also warning of the heightened risks faced by Rohingya fleeing persecution. The disappearance adds to a pattern of dangerous sea crossings in the region, where overcrowded vessels often encounter rough weather, mechanical failures, or interception. As the search continues, families of the presumed passengers remain uncertain of their fate, and international observers are urging increased safety measures for future migrations.