Two boats carrying an estimated 530 Rohingya are reported to have disappeared since departing Myanmar on June 29, according to reports covered by international media outlets. The vessels were believed to be transporting members of the Rohingya minority population.
The United Nations, through its International Organization for Migration (IOM) and refugee agency UNHCR, have expressed alarm at reports of two large shipwrecks off Myanmar occurring since late June. The UN agencies have indicated that more than 500 people are feared dead in connection with these incidents.
The exact circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the boats remain unclear, with sources referring to the incidents variously as vanished vessels and suspected shipwrecks. The UN agencies issued a joint statement expressing concern about the situation.
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