Boats Left Rakhine In Late June Carrying Mostly Rohingya PassengersTwo boats carrying more than 500 people may have capsized off Myanmar's coast in recent days, UN agencies said on Thursday, as refugees from the war-torn country make perilous maritime journeys in search of safety and better lives.The two vessels left Myanmar's Rakhine State in late June carrying mostly ethnic minority Rohingya passengers, reportedly including some from refugee camps in Bangladesh, the International Organization for Migration and the UN's refugee agency said in a joint statement, citing preliminary information. More than 500 were feared dead, it said. "While the incidents and casualty figures have yet to be officially confirmed, UNHCR and IOM are gravely concerned by devastating loss of life." Rohingya typically avoid such boat journeys at this time of year when conditions at sea are dangerous. The refugees have no way to safely return to Myanmar, where military that killed thousands of Rohingya in 2017 remains in charge. Rohingya exodus from Rakhine started in 2017In the latest incidents, the first boat, with about 250 people on board, lost contact after departure and a second vessel carrying about 280 people was believed to have sunk off Myanmar’s Irrawaddy coast on July 8, the UN agencies said. “These journeys took place outside the regular sailing season, when maritime conditions are typically more hazardous,” the statement said. The Rohingya exodus from Rakhine started in 2017 after the Myanmar military launched an offensive, leading to at least 730,000 seeking shelter in Bangladesh.