Narinjara, 22 May, 2025

Four young women who are internally displaced persons (IDPs) and related as cousins ​​drowned on May 21 while bathing in a stream in Chain Khali Village, located in Rathedaung Township, Rakhine State.

The victims were identified as Ma Htay Win Oo (23), Ma Htay Htay Win (15), Ma Nyein Nyein Htay (16) and Ma Zi Ma Chey (20).

The tragedy occurred while they were seeking refuge in Chain Khali Village, located in the southwestern region of Rathedaung Township on the Mayu peninsula. They all were from Thinpon Tan Village in Sittwe Township.

A relative stated, "The four sisters perished while swimming in the creek. One of them lost her footing and fell into the deep stream, while the others attempted to pull her up individually. All perished in the water without any salvation."

Family members reported that the bodies were found at approximately 6 pm on 21 May.

The four sisters had been living with their families before as internally displaced refugees in Kyauktaw town, located on the upper Kaladan River near southern Chin State.

Nevertheless, they relocated to Chain Khali Village in Rathedaung with their families following junta airstrikes that targeted Kyauktaw town, resulting in over 20 civilian deaths and 30 injuries within two consecutive days on May 14 and 15.

Following air strikes, tens of thousands of residents from Kyauktaw escaped the town due to fears of junta air attacks.

"They reached Chain Khali Village a few days after leaving Kyauktaw and encountered the tragedy," said the family member.

In Rakhine, during July and August 2023, 25 males and eight females drowned, totaling 33, as reported by data from Narinjara News Agency, but there were no reports for 2024.

The victims of drowning comprised children aged 5 and older, middle-aged individuals, and seniors.