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New Delhi: The news of the sinking of two boats carrying Rohingya refugees in the Bay of Bengal has raised international concern. According to initial information, more than 500 people are feared dead in this horrific sea accident. However, the number of dead has not been officially confirmed yet.

The boat was heading towards western state Rakhine

It is being told that both the boats had left from Rakhine, the western state of Myanmar, in the last week of June. Most of these passengers belonged to the Rohingya community, while some people had joined the journey from refugee camps in Bangladesh. Along with this, it is being told that these people had chosen the sea route in search of a better life and in the hope of escaping violence.

how many people in the boat

According to a joint statement issued by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), there were about 250 people on board the first boat. Shortly after leaving the sea, contact with him was completely lost. Since then, there has been no trace of the boat and the people in it.

There were about 280 people in the other boat. It is believed that this boat sank in the sea near Ayeyarwady coast of Myanmar on July 8. Including both the incidents, about 530 people are reported missing. Agencies say that considering the current circumstances, the chances of survival of such a large number of people are extremely low. United Nations agencies have expressed deep concern over this accident.

The joint statement said the incidents and the number of possible casualties have yet to be officially confirmed, but if initial reports prove true, it would be one of the worst maritime tragedies in recent years.

Search continues for missing people

According to experts, Rohingya refugees often take risky sea routes to escape conflict, persecution and insecurity. During June and July, the sea in the Bay of Bengal remains very rough due to the monsoon. In such weather, the risk of accidents increases manifold for boats carrying more passengers than their capacity. At present, relief and rescue agencies are monitoring the situation, while efforts are underway to search for missing people and gather detailed information about the accident.