Rohingya Sea Crossings Grow Deadlier as Tens of Thousands Risk Lives for Safety
Rohingya refugees face deadly sea crossings as numbers rise and mortality rates soar, with families desperate for answers.
POLICY WIRE — Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh — A 15-year-old Rohingya boy vanished after being forced onto a boat in June, joining hundreds who have disappeared on one of the world’s most perilous sea routes. His father, Abdul Nur, recalls the last call from his son, who said he was being taken to Malaysia.
The Rohingya, a stateless Muslim minority from Myanmar’s Rakhine state, have endured decades of persecution, including what the U.S. has called genocide. Many flee to Bangladesh, where they live in overcrowded refugee camps, often facing abductions and forced recruitment into dangerous maritime journeys.
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Last year, nearly 900 Rohingya went missing or died during sea crossings, with the UN noting the route has the highest mortality rate for refugee migrations. This year, the number of dead or missing has nearly doubled, with over 820 reported so far. Despite the risks, the demand for these crossings continues to grow, driven by desperation and the booming smuggling industry.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
