The world’s deadliest sea crossing – and the role for Australia
Two boats carrying mostly Rohingya refugees capsized off the coast of Myanmar last week, with over 500 people feared dead in what is already the world's deadliest maritime migrant route. One in seven people attempting to cross the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal do not survive. Last year was the worst on record with 900 confirmed deaths, and 2026 is on track to be far worse. ASEAN foreign ministers are meeting in Manila this week with Dialogue Partners including Australia, presenting an opportunity for coordinated regional response. The lack of an agreed regional framework on displacement means ASEAN states treat refugees as a domestic security issue, leaving 3.9 million officially registered displaced persons without legal work or education access. Myanmar's ongoing conflict and persecution remain the primary drivers of displacement, with about a third of the population in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.
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