Deadly drone attack claims lives of 150 Rohingyas fleeing Myanmar

In a harrowing incident, at least 150 Rohingyas, including children, were killed in a drone attack while attempting to escape violence in Myanmar's Rakhine state. The attack occurred on Monday as families waited at the border to cross into Bangladesh. Witnesses reported survivors navigating through piles of bodies to find their dead and injured relatives.

Devastating impact and eyewitness accounts

Among the victims were a pregnant woman and her 2-year-old daughter. Mohammed Eleyas, the woman's husband, recounted the scene, stating, "I heard the deafening sound of shelling multiple times." He described how he lay on the ground to shield himself and found his wife and daughter severely injured, while many other relatives were dead. The attack struck the shoreline where families had gathered, adding to the chaos and devastation.

Additional tragedy: Boat capsizes

In a separate but related disaster, a boat carrying fleeing Rohingyas capsized in the Naf River, which separates Myanmar and Bangladesh. This incident resulted in additional casualties, with reports from Bangladesh media and witnesses indicating dozens more deaths.

Attribution and response

This drone attack is considered the deadliest assault on civilians in Rakhine state amidst ongoing conflicts between Myanmar's military and rebel militias. While both the Myanmar military and the militias blame each other, witnesses assert that the attack was carried out by rebel forces. The exact number of casualties remains uncertain. Social media videos have emerged, showing bodies strewn across muddy ground alongside abandoned belongings. Reports suggest varying death tolls, with some sources indicating over 200 fatalities.

Humanitarian crisis and Rohingya exodus

Doctors Without Borders has reported treating an increasing number of Rohingyas with violence-related injuries who managed to cross into Bangladesh. Since a military-led crackdown in 2017, over 730,000 Rohingyas have fled Myanmar, with the situation worsening since the 2021 coup that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi. The Arakan Army's recent advances have further displaced Rohingyas, with the militia denying allegations of burning down major Rohingya towns.