Cox's Bazar, April 19 -- Nearly 900 Rohingya refugees died or went missing in the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal in 2025, making it the deadliest year on record for sea crossings in South and Southeast Asia, according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).

The agency said more than 6,500 Rohingya attempted the dangerous sea journey during the year, with around one in seven reported dead or missing. This marks the highest death toll recorded on any major maritime route used by refugees and migrants worldwide, it said.

UNHCR mentioned that more than half of those attempting the journey in recent years have been women and children, a trend that has continued into 2026. Between January and April 13 this year, more than 2,800 Rohingya have alr...