More than 500 people are feared to have died after two boats carrying Rohingya refugees reportedly disappeared in waters off Myanmar.

The United Nations says the incidents, if confirmed, underline the worsening humanitarian crisis facing the Rohingya, many of whom continue to risk dangerous sea journeys as violence, displacement and limited opportunities leave them with few alternatives.

According to a joint statement from the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the two boats are believed to have left Myanmar's conflict-hit Rakhine State in late June.

One vessel, carrying an estimated 250 people, reportedly lost contact shortly after setting sail. A second boat, believed to have had around 280 passengers on board, is feared to have sunk near Myanmar's Ayeyarwady coast on July 8.

"While the incidents and casualty figures have yet to be officially confirmed, UNHCR and IOM are gravely concerned by the potentially devastating loss of life," the statement said.

Most of those travelling were believed to be Rohingya Muslims fleeing insecurity in Myanmar. Some passengers are also understood to have departed from refugee camps in Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar district, where more than one million Rohingya have been living after escaping violence in Myanmar.

Why are Rohingya taking these risky journeys?

For years, thousands of Rohingya have boarded overcrowded wooden boats in search of safety, work and better living conditions in countries across Southeast Asia.

The UN agencies highlighted that the journeys "took place outside the regular sailing season, when maritime conditions are typically more hazardous".

"Recent torrential rain and flooding across the region have further increased the risks associated with such sea movements."

The statement cautioned that "if verified, this tragedy would add to the nearly 300 people reported to be missing or to have lost their lives in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal so far this year, including Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi nationals".

The UN said worsening conflict inside Myanmar, shrinking humanitarian assistance and the absence of long-term solutions continue to push desperate families towards dangerous migration routes.

Human trafficking remains a major concern

International agencies also warned that organised smuggling and trafficking networks continue to exploit vulnerable refugees.

UNHCR estimates that nearly 6,500 Rohingya attempted maritime journeys across the northern Indian Ocean last year, with almost 900 people reported dead or missing during those crossings.

If the latest reports are confirmed, this year's death toll in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal would rise sharply. Even before these incidents, nearly 300 Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi nationals had already been reported dead or missing in regional waters in 2026.

UN calls for urgent action

The UN agencies have urged governments across the region to strengthen search-and-rescue operations, provide access to asylum for those fleeing persecution and intensify efforts against human trafficking and smuggling networks.

They also called for sustained international support for Bangladesh, which continues to host more than a million Rohingya refugees, while stressing that addressing the root causes of displacement inside Myanmar remains critical to preventing further humanitarian tragedies.

With AFP inputs