COX’S BAZAR, Bangladesh — A surge in desperate attempts by Rohingya refugees to flee overcrowded camps in Bangladesh by sea has resulted in a record number of fatalities, highlighting the growing dangers faced by this vulnerable population. The United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, reported that nearly 900 Rohingya were dead or missing at sea in 2025, making it the deadliest year on record, with risks continuing into 2026.

Rahela Begum, 25, is among those who survived a harrowing ordeal at sea. Having fled conflict in Myanmar’s Rakhine state and settled in Cox’s Bazar since 2017, she joined an exodus of refugees attempting to reach Malaysia, Indonesia, or Thailand due to worsening conditions in the camps. In April, she boarded an overcrowded trawler near Teknaf, a town about an hour from Cox’s Bazar. After four days at sea, the vessel carrying roughly 280 people sank in the Andaman Sea. Begum spent two days and a night clinging to a wooden plank before being rescued. “I was floating like a dead body,” she said, describing how she struggled to raise her head to catch the attention of a passing ship.

Restrictions imposed by Bangladesh, which bars most refugees from leaving camps or working, leave few alternatives for the Rohingya. Many turn to human traffickers who promise safer passage and a chance at a better life. These smuggling networks, according to officials and sources, span multiple countries, including Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, and Malaysia. A trafficker interviewed anonymously said the business is lucrative, earning up to 250,000 taka (about $2,000) per shipment, and involves collaboration with individuals within the camps and surrounding regions. Migrants typically start their journey from Teknaf, where they are transferred from small boats to larger vessels offshore.

Efforts to curb trafficking face significant challenges amid increasing exodus attempts. UNHCR data indicate that 2,300 refugees departed by sea from Cox’s Bazar camps in the first five months of 2026, nearly double the 1,180 recorded during the same period last year. The organization warned of the high fatality rate, estimating that one in seven refugees attempting these journeys in 2025 died or went missing.

Bangladesh Coast Guard Lieutenant Mohammad Rawnak Rahman, responsible for patrolling the Naf River border with Myanmar, described the intensified security measures underway. "We’re on maximum alert. We’re doing everything we can to get the situation under control," he said. The coast guard reported rescuing 618 trafficking victims so far this year. Despite these responses, the complex mix of ongoing violence in Rakhine state, dire camp conditions, and restricted movement continues to drive Rohingya refugees toward perilous maritime routes.