Nearly 900 Rohingya died or went missing at sea in 2025 amid deadly crossings
Mar 11th 2026
UNHCR data show a sharp rise in Rohingya deaths at sea in 2025 as overcrowded camps, dwindling aid and smuggling networks push thousands to attempt dangerous boat crossings to Southeast Asia.
- UNHCR recorded 892 Rohingya dead or missing in 2025 while attempting sea journeys from Bangladesh or Myanmar.
- A November sinking near Langkawi accounted for many deaths, with the UN estimating 266 people died or went missing in that incident.
- Cox's Bazar camps now hold over 1 million Rohingya after mass exoduses in 2017 and 2024, straining food, services and shelter.
- Cuts to aid, scarce jobs and increasing exploitation in the camps are driving more people to attempt risky sea crossings.
- Smugglers use old, ill equipped boats and conceal passengers below decks, raising the risk of suffocation and capsizing.
- Authorities in destination countries often push boats away or ignore distress calls, which prolongs voyages and increases fatalities.