Camp Correspondent
In a devastating maritime tragedy, a boat carrying 180 Rohingya refugees sank off the coast of Hai Gyi Island in Myanmar’s Ayeyarwady Township, claiming 176 lives. Only six individuals survived the harrowing ordeal, clinging to debris for days before being rescued.
The victims, originating from Buthidaung Township in northern Rakhine State, were attempting to reach Malaysia in search of safety and a better future. Their perilous journey began on November 1, when they were transported to Ponnagyun Township before being loaded onto the ill-fated vessel.
A survivor recounted the horrific incident, stating, “There were 180 people on the boat, including men and women. Of them, 174 died. The six of us who survived held on to pieces of wood for one or two days.”
The Myanmar Navy discovered the survivors adrift on November 12 and transported them to safety. They are currently receiving medical treatment at a hospital in Ayeyarwady, with reports confirming their fragile physical and emotional state.
Three of the six survivors are from Sein Yin Pyin village in southern Buthidaung, a region plagued by conflict and systemic discrimination against the Rohingya minority. This forced many to undertake hazardous sea journeys to escape persecution, poverty, and violence.
This tragedy underscores the desperate plight of the Rohingya community and the deadly risks they face in seeking refuge through unsafe migration routes.
International organizations have repeatedly called for urgent action to address the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar and provide safe migration alternatives to prevent further loss of life.
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