More than 500 feared dead after boats carrying refugees sink off Myanmar coast, UN says

More than 500 people are feared dead after two boats carrying refugees from Myanmar's Rakhine State capsized in recent days, according to UN agencies. The International Organization for Migration and the UN Refugee Agency issued a joint statement on Thursday, expressing grave concern over the potential loss of life. The first vessel, with approximately 250 people, lost contact shortly after departing in late June, while a second boat carrying around 280 people is believed to have sunk off Myanmar's Ayeyarwady coast on July 8. These journeys, undertaken by Rohingya Muslims and some from Bangladeshi refugee camps, occurred outside the regular sailing season when maritime conditions are more hazardous. The UN agencies noted that nearly 300 people have been reported missing or dead in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal this year.