10-8-2023 (YANGON) A devastating maritime tragedy unfolded off the coast of Myanmar’s Rakhine state this week, as a boat carrying Rohingya refugees attempting to flee the region met a tragic end, leaving at least 17 individuals dead. The incident sheds light on the ongoing perils faced by thousands of Rohingya, who embark on treacherous sea journeys in a bid to escape the dire conditions in both Bangladesh and Myanmar.
The vessel in question, attempting to navigate the treacherous waters from Myanmar to Malaysia, suffered a catastrophic fate, ultimately breaking apart amidst heavy seas. Byar La, a dedicated rescuer hailing from the Shwe Yaung Metta Foundation based in Sittwe, revealed that the ill-fated boat was believed to have been carrying over 50 individuals when disaster struck on the night of Sunday.
Tragedy struck, and the perilous waters claimed the lives of 17 souls, their bodies now resting beneath the waves. Miraculously, eight men managed to survive the harrowing ordeal and were subsequently taken into custody for interrogation by local authorities. The search for those still unaccounted for continues, a poignant reminder of the uncertainty that cloaks the precise number of passengers aboard the ill-fated vessel.
Rakhine, a region within predominantly Buddhist Myanmar, holds the turbulent history of being home to an estimated 600,000 Rohingya Muslims. Struggling with their status as migrants from Bangladesh, these Rohingya individuals are tragically bereft of citizenship and the fundamental freedom of movement. Their plight took an even darker turn in 2017 when a ruthless military crackdown drove approximately 750,000 Rohingya to seek refuge in neighbouring Bangladesh, a desperate exodus marked by chilling accounts of violence, arson, and sexual assault.
