Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
In 2025, nearly 900 Rohingya refugees were reported missing or dead in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal, making it the deadliest year recorded for refugee sea crossings in South and Southeast Asia, according to the UN refugee agency UNHCR.
An estimated 5,000 Rohingya refugees have drowned at sea over the last decade, reflecting the grave risks faced during these journeys.
The majority of Rohingya have fled Myanmar since 2012 due to ongoing persecution, with nearly 200,000 risking dangerous sea travel to escape. In 2017, hundreds of thousands fled to Bangladesh after persecution described as ethnic cleansing by a former UN human rights chief.
UNHCR spokesperson Babar Baloch emphasized that Rohingya refugees wish to return to Myanmar only if conditions allow for a voluntary, dignified, and safe return. Ongoing conflict, persecution, and lack of citizenship prospects leave them with little hope.
UNHCR highlighted the desperation that leads families to risk these perilous journeys despite low survival chances, expressing concern that, without solutions, the death toll could continue to rise. The agency urged global acknowledgement of the Rohingya situation inside Myanmar, in refugee camps, and across the region to prevent further loss of life.