In Sittwe Township, Rakhine State, a boat transporting Muslims sank in the sea near Basar Village, resulting in the loss of two lives, while eight individuals were found alive. However, 45 others remain missing.
Muslims from Buthidaung, Rathedaung, and Maungdaw townships were leaving by boat to Malaysia, however on the evening of August 7, the boat sank in the sea near Basar village in Sittwe Township due to inclement weather.
The boat had a total of 55 Muslims on board. Tragically, 2 Muslim women lost their lives, 8 men were found alive, and the remaining 45 individuals are missing as a result of the boat sinking, according to Basar village administrator U Soe Myint, who cited the accounts of the survivors.
"According to survivors, the boat was carrying 55 individuals en route to Malaysia. Tragedy struck when a massive wave capsized the boat at sea. As of now, only the remains of two women have been recovered, along with eight survivors. The status of the remaining 45 individuals remains unknown," U Soe Myint shared with DMG.
The group of 55 Muslims had been promised that they would each pay a sum of 12 million kyat to the broker upon their successful arrival in Malaysia.
Currently, the bodies of the individuals who tragically lost their lives in the boat sinking have been transported by the Shwe Yaung Myittar Foundation, a social assistance organization in Sittwe. Additionally, the 8 survivors have been brought to the No. 1 police station.
"Yesterday, approximately at midday, two deceased individuals were discovered in Basar village. We were approached for assistance, and subsequently, we transported the bodies to the mortuary at Sittwe Hospital," stated U Min Htel Wah, chairman of the Shwe Yaung Myittar Foundation.
Currently, DMG is still contacting Sittwe Township Police to inquire about the condition of the arrested individuals.
On the evening of August 6, a group of Muslims embarked on a boat journey from Ah Nauk Pyin Village in Rathedaung Township. The boat overturned near Point Beach in Sittwe Township due to a wave, and they managed to survive by clutching onto plastic containers This incident was reported by Rakhine Daily, a press release platform of the State Military Council.
As reported by Rakhine Daily, a total of 189 Muslims, who had departed from Rakhine seeking refuge in foreign countries and had illegally entered from Bangladesh refugee camps, were apprehended in Rakhine between January 1, 2023, and June 28, 2023, spanning a period of six months.
In addition to the challenges of limited job opportunities and food shortages in Rakhine, Muslims are expressing that their departure to foreign countries is driven by constraints on their freedom of movement.
"Acquiring a National Registration Card (NRC) often demands a hefty fee paid to brokers. Yet, even with these payments, some individuals are unsuccessful in obtaining the NRC. Due to the financial strain of this process, some opt for illegal routes, leading to arrests at checkpoints. There have been instances of fatalities due to boat capsizing, while others have lost their lives on the road," shared a Muslim resident from Thet Kae Pyin Village, Sittwe Township.
Muslims who attempt to leave for foreign countries and are apprehended either at military council checkpoints or at sea are subject to prosecution under Sections 13(1), 13(2), and 13(5) of the Immigration Act for engaging in illegal border crossing.
