Rohingyas: A dark year at sea with a record number of deaths and disappearances

Nearly 900 Rohingya refugees died or went missing in 2025 while attempting to cross the sea in Southeast Asia, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). This figure makes last year the deadliest year ever recorded on this migration route.

According to the UN agency, more than one-seventh of the approximately 6,500 Rohingya who attempted to cross the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal have perished or gone missing. This mortality rate is the highest in the world for migrants and refugees using sea routes.

Departures continued in 2026, despite the extreme risks. Since the beginning of the year, more than 2,800 Rohingya have already attempted these crossings, according to the UNHCR. These migrations are driven by difficult living conditions in refugee camps, particularly in Bangladesh, and by the lack of sustainable prospects.

The profile of those fleeing illustrates the gravity of the humanitarian situation: more than half of those attempting these crossings are women and children. Many embark on precarious, often overcrowded boats, without any guarantees of safety.

“No one would put their family on such a risky boat if the feeling of desperation was not present,” said Babar Baloch, UNHCR spokesperson, highlighting the extent of the distress that drives these populations to take to the sea.

Faced with this ongoing crisis, humanitarian organizations are calling for increased mobilization from the international community. They are demanding lasting solutions to protect the Rohingya, while also highlighting the urgent need to improve living conditions and the safety of migration routes.