Family of Missing Rohingya Footballer Fear He Died at Sea
Wanderstayfinder.com – The family of missing Rohingya footballer Siraz Ullah fears he is among the 500 migrants believed dead after two vessels sank near Myanmar’s coast. The 24-year-old had just sent a final voice message to his loved ones before boarding a boat heading for Malaysia in late June. His last words captured the desperation of thousands undertaking this dangerous journey: “Please pray for me and for all the passengers. We are risking our lives, but there is nothing else we can do.”
“I can’t tolerate this life,” Siraz said in the recording that would become his final message to his family.
What Happened to the Missing Vessels?
According to United Nations estimates, the two vessels that may have carried Siraz sank with 250 and 280 passengers respectively. His nephew Mumtaz Ullah told reporters the family last spoke with Siraz on June 22, when he mentioned a boat had initially tried to depart but returned to port before setting sail again days later.
While Siraz left Myanmar voluntarily, a human rights investigator revealed that several families report their loved ones were abducted from various regions across Myanmar and Bangladesh, then detained until relatives paid ransom fees to traffickers. Recent speculation suggests rival smuggling groups may have seized control of one of the missing boats.
A Footballer’s Dream Interrupted
Siraz originally departed Myanmar in 2017 following a military offensive that forced 700,000 Rohingya into Bangladesh. There, he lived alongside his nephew Mumtaz and pursued his passion for football. “We studied together, we played together. We were more like brothers than uncle and nephew,” Mumtaz recalled. “Since he was a child, his biggest dream was to become a professional football player.”
His first attempt to reach Malaysia came in 2022, but bad weather stranded his vessel. Myanmar authorities detained him, and his relatives ultimately paid 2.9 million Myanmar kyat—equivalent to £1,000—to secure his release. Conditions in Myanmar have worsened considerably over the past two years, with more than 150,000 Rohingya fleeing to Bangladesh due to escalating conflicts between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army.
“We don’t know whether he’s alive. Like many others, we are living in fear and uncertainty,” Mumtaz said. “It feels as if we’ve been torn into pieces.”
Understanding the Rohingya Crisis
Years of systematic persecution have reduced Myanmar’s Rohingya population to approximately 550,000, down from an estimated 1.4 million ten years ago. Over one million displaced Rohingya now reside in Bangladesh’s heavily monitored refugee settlements. The predominantly Muslim minority lost their citizenship status in Myanmar during 1982 and subsequently endured multiple waves of expulsion.
Human traffickers have exploited this situation, drawing people from both nations with promises of improved circumstances in Malaysia. Back in April, 250 individuals perished when their vessel overturned in the Andaman Sea, adding to the growing toll of this year’s dangerous crossings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Rohingya migrants are believed to have died in the recent shipwrecks?
Approximately 500 migrants are believed dead after two vessels sank near Myanmar’s coastline. The United Nations estimates the boats carried 250 and 280 passengers respectively.
When did Siraz Ullah last contact his family?
Siraz’s family last spoke with him on June 22, 2026, when he mentioned a boat had initially tried to depart but returned to port before setting sail again several days later.
What happened to Siraz during his previous attempt to reach Malaysia?
During his 2022 attempt, adverse weather conditions stranded his vessel. Myanmar authorities detained him, and his relatives paid 2.9 million Myanmar kyat (equivalent to £1,000) to secure his freedom.
How many Rohingya have fled Myanmar in the past two years?
More than 150,000 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh due to escalating conflicts between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army, an ethnic Rakhine rebel organization.
For more information on the Rohingya crisis, visit The Guardian’s Rohingya coverage.
