Rohingya Refugees Face Deadly Peril at Sea in 2025

According to the United Nations refugee agency, nearly 900 Rohingya refugees were reported missing or dead in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal in 2025. The grim statistic was revealed by UNHCR spokesman Babar Baloch during a press briefing in Geneva.

The Rohingya, a Muslim minority group from Myanmar, have faced decades of persecution and violence in their home country, leading many to flee by boat in search of refuge. However, the treacherous sea journeys have proven deadly, with overcrowded and unsafe vessels often capsizing or sinking.

Baloch emphasized the urgent need for greater international cooperation and support to address the plight of the Rohingya refugees. "These tragic incidents underscore the desperate situation faced by Rohingya refugees, who are willing to risk their lives at sea in search of safety and a better future," he said. "The international community must do more to provide safe and legal pathways for these vulnerable people."