Tragedy at Sea: Seven Dead, Over 30 Missing as Boat Capsizes While Fleeing Myanmar Violence

In a heartbreaking incident, a boat carrying villagers fleeing violence in Myanmar capsized in the Andaman Sea, resulting in the confirmed deaths of seven individuals, with over 30 others still missing. Rescue operations have successfully located approximately 30 survivors from the ill-fated vessel, which was en route from Kyauk Kar to Myeik in Myanmar’s Tanintharyi region.

The overcrowded boat, designed to accommodate only 30 to 40 passengers, set off late Sunday night at around 9:30 p.m. However, it sank just 15 minutes into its journey, near the mouth of the estuary leading to the sea. The cause of the capsizing is still under investigation, but local sources suggest that the boat was heavily loaded with both passengers and goods, compounded by strong sea currents.

Kyauk Kar, located approximately 520 kilometers south of Yangon, has been a hotspot for conflict between the Myanmar army and pro-democracy guerrillas since the military coup that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s government in February 2021. This ongoing violence has displaced thousands, with recent reports indicating that about 59,000 individuals have been forced to flee their homes in the Tanintharyi region alone.

Reports from local news outlets, such as Dawei Watch, reveal that the situation has escalated dramatically, with increased military operations and airstrikes in nearby villages prompting many residents to seek safety by any means necessary, including taking the perilous sea route. This tragic incident highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, where daily life is deeply affected by violence and instability.