by Hafizur Rahman
Mrauk-U Township, Rakhine State | May 14, 2026
At least 10 Rohingya people were reported dead after a boat capsized in Mrauk-U Township earlier this week, according to local residents and rescue sources.
The incident took place on the evening of May 12 along the Lay Myo River after a group of villagers from Aung Taing village in Minbya Township traveled to Shwe Taung village in Mrauk-U Township for a football match.
Residents said the group was returning home using two boats when one of them capsized during the journey.
Local residents believe the boat may have been carrying more passengers than it could safely transport, although the exact cause of the accident has not been officially confirmed.
The victims were reportedly from Aung Taing village and nearby areas including Minbya, Mrauk-U, and Pauktaw townships. Local sources said the dead included boys and men ranging from children to older adults.
Rescue efforts continued in the river following the accident. As of Thursday, local sources said 10 bodies had been recovered, while fears remained that additional passengers could still be missing.
River transport remains one of the main forms of travel in many parts of Rakhine State, where communities frequently depend on boats to move between villages and townships.
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