Poe War — Two fishermen have died in separate boating accidents after strong winds capsized their vessels in Gwa Township, southern Rakhine State.
The victims have been identified as U Soe Myint, a 40-year-old displaced person (IDP) from Maung Shwe Lay Village, and U Win Tin, a resident of Kin Yon Ward.
The first incident occurred on April 30 at approximately 11:00 p.m. A fishing boat carrying U Soe Myint and five other crew members capsized in heavy seas. While the others survived, U Soe Myint was lost to the water. His body was recovered on the morning of May 2, according to the Gwa Township IDP Assistance Joint Team.
U Soe Myint is survived by his wife, a son, and a daughter. His family is reportedly facing severe financial hardship and is appealing to local and international donors for urgent assistance.
In a second incident around midnight that same night, another fishing boat capsized in the storm. U Win Tin was killed in the accident; his body was discovered on the beach near Maung Ngu village later that day.
These fatalities follow a week of volatile weather in the region. Since April 27, heavy rains and gale-force winds have battered Rakhine State, damaging homes and IDP camps in Kyauktaw, Ponnagyun, Kyaukphyu, and Pauktaw.
