India, May 24 -- The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) on Friday expressed a grave concern over reports that two boats carrying Rohingya refugees sank off the coast of Myanmar earlier this month, leaving 427 people dead.

According to reports, one boat carrying 267 people from Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh and Rakhine State in Myanmar, sank on 9 May, with only 66 survivors, UNHCR said.

The following day, a second boat fleeing with 247 people capsized, leaving just 21 survivors. In a separate incident, reports indicate that on 14 May, a third vessel carrying 188 Rohingya was intercepted while departing from Myanmar.

Last week, UNHCR voiced alarm over reports that Rohingya refugees had been forced off an Indian navy vessel into the Andaman Sea. News ...