More than 500 people are feared dead following two suspected shipwrecks off the coast of Myanmar, according to the United Nations.

In a joint statement issued on Thursday, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said they were deeply concerned by reports that two boats carrying more than 500 people may have capsized after departing Myanmar’s conflict-ridden Rakhine State in late June.

The vessels were reportedly carrying mainly Rohingya Muslims fleeing violence and worsening humanitarian conditions in Myanmar. Some passengers are believed to have travelled from refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, which hosts more than one million Rohingya refugees.

According to preliminary UN information, one boat carrying about 250 people lost contact shortly after leaving Rakhine State. A second vessel, with around 280 people on board, is believed to have sunk off Myanmar’s Ayeyarwady coast on July 8.

The UN said the incidents and casualty figures have not yet been officially confirmed but warned that, if verified, they could rank among the deadliest maritime disasters involving Rohingya refugees in recent years.

The agencies noted that the journeys took place outside the normal sailing season, when rough sea conditions are more dangerous. Recent heavy rainfall and flooding across the region have further increased the risks of such crossings.

The reported tragedies would add to nearly 300 people who have already been reported dead or missing in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal this year, including Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi nationals.

According to UNHCR, nearly 900 Rohingya refugees were reported missing or dead at sea in 2025 out of more than 6,500 people who attempted dangerous sea crossings.

The UN attributed the continued exodus to the prolonged conflict in Myanmar, deteriorating humanitarian conditions and limited opportunities in refugee camps in Bangladesh. It also warned that human smuggling and trafficking networks continue to exploit vulnerable people seeking safety.

IOM and UNHCR called for stronger search and rescue operations, improved access to asylum and protection, and tougher action against smuggling and trafficking networks. The agencies also commended Bangladesh for hosting Rohingya refugees while urging the international community to provide sustained support and address the root causes of forced displacement.