Burma: Satellite Imagery Shows Widespread Destruction of Rohingya Homes, Property

Top Left: Kyaukpyu on 9 March 2012 
Top Right: Kyaukpyu on 25 October 2012 
Bottom: Kyaukpyu on 25 October 2012 with Damage Sites Marked

Human Rights Watch identified 811 destroyed structures on the eastern coastal edge of Kyauk Pyu following arson attacks reportedly conducted on October 24, 2012, less than 24 hours before the satellite images were captured. The area of destruction measures 35 acres and includes 633 buildings and 178 houseboats and floating barges adjacent on the water, all of which were razed. There are no indications of fire damage to the immediate west and east of this zone of destruction. Media accounts and local officials said that many Rohingya in the town fled by sea toward Sittwe, the capital of Arakan State, 200 kilometers to the north.

Read the full account here >>

Download the PDF of the images (3MB)

© Damage Analysis: Human Rights Watch; Image Copyright: DigitalGlobe 2012; Source: EUSI