Death toll rises to nine in Taungup boat capsize

By Admin 04 Aug 2026

DMG Newsroom

4 August 2026, Taungup

The death toll from the July 31 boat capsize in Taungup Township, Arakan State, has risen to nine after search and rescue teams recovered the bodies of the seven remaining missing passengers on August 2.

The victims whose bodies were recovered have been identified as Ma Aye Aye Mu, 22, a teacher, and U Tin Tun, 50, both from Ngakarkaing Village on Pantin Island; U Zaung Win Hlaing, 22, and U Nyi San Chay, 42, from Napinchaing Village on Kaleintaung Island; Ko Myo Min Tun, 18, a student; Ma Ei Phyu, 25, a teacher from Ale Tan Village on Pantin Island; and U Pyae Sone Hein, 29, from Phaungkhar Village.

The incident occurred at around 3 p.m. on July 31 when a motorized boat carrying 13 passengers, including education staff, departed from Magyitaw Jetty on Pantin Island for Kaleintaung Island before capsizing in the Aung Seik Kay River near Pantin Island.

Initial rescue efforts saved four passengers, including teachers.

Two passengers, Daw Pa Pa Soe, a 30-year-old teacher, and U Phyo Lwin, a 31-year-old teacher, were confirmed dead shortly after the accident, while seven others, including four teachers, remained missing.

Joint search and rescue operations carried out by United League of Arakan officials and local residents recovered the bodies of all seven missing passengers on August 2.

In total, nine people died and four survived the boat capsize.