BANGKOK — A tragic incident occurred as a boat capsized in the Andaman Sea, resulting in the confirmed deaths of seven individuals, with over 30 others reported missing. This vessel was carrying villagers who were attempting to escape violence from ongoing conflicts in Myanmar, according to local media and rescue personnel on the scene.

Approximately 30 survivors were rescued from the overcrowded ferry, which was on its way from the island of Kyauk Kar to the coastal town of Myeik in Myanmar’s Tanintharyi region. An estimate suggested that the boat was overloaded with about 70 to 75 individuals on board, many of whom were trying to flee the escalating combat in their home areas. A local villager, who assisted in the rescue effort, shared that the boat departed Kyauk Kar around 9:30 p.m. on Sunday but sank just 15 minutes later near the estuary’s mouth.

Details surrounding the cause of the tragedy remain uncertain. The villager noted that the boat, which typically accommodates 30 to 40 passengers, was significantly overcrowded with both people and goods. Additionally, strong currents in the sea posed a serious challenge.

Kyauk Kar is located around 520 kilometers (320 miles) south of Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city, and is in proximity to other villages where violent confrontations have been occurring between Myanmar’s military forces and pro-democracy guerrilla groups. A majority of the boat’s passengers were said to have originated from areas that have been engulfed in conflict for about a week, according to the villager’s account.

The nation of Myanmar has continued to face turmoil since the military coup that ousted the elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021. This unrest has led to the formation of an armed resistance, plunging various regions into chaos.

In the Tanintharyi area, which has emerged as a significant base for resistance efforts, a local research group reported disturbing statistics for September: 20 civilian fatalities, 308 arrests made by the military, and around 59,000 individuals displaced due to the incessant violence in the region.

Independent news outlet Dawei Watch and other local media have highlighted that recent clashes have escalated since the previous Monday within the villages of Kye and Me Laung Chaung, located approximately 10 kilometers (7 miles) east of Kyauk Kar. This surge in violence came after a significant military presence moved into the area to combat local resistance fighters.

Further reports indicate that the military conducted airstrikes on Kye village on Wednesday, prompting many residents to flee towards surrounding villages and towns in search of safety.

Survivors and local accounts revealed that among the boat’s passengers were individuals stranded on a highway due to the fighting, along with students. In light of the conflict blocking major thoroughfares, the sea route had become an essential means of transportation for the area’s communities. Unfortunately, incidents at sea are not uncommon in Myanmar, with tragic accidents often leading to significant loss of life.