Kuala Lumpur, November 9 — At least seven Myanmar migrants drowned and 13 others were rescued after a boat carrying dozens of people capsized near Malaysia’s northern Langkawi island, officials said on Sunday.
According to Malaysia’s Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), the ill-fated vessel had set sail from Buthidaung in Myanmar’s Rakhine state with nearly 300 passengers on board. Authorities believe the group was later divided into three smaller boats as they approached Malaysia’s waters.
“One of the boats is believed to have sunk near Tarutao island in southern Thailand, and some victims drifted into Langkawi,” said First Admiral Romli Mustafa of the MMEA. “Search and rescue operations will continue through Monday.”
Ten survivors were pulled from the sea on Saturday, along with the body of one woman. Another six bodies and three more survivors were recovered Sunday, Romli said.
The timing of the accident and the fate of the other two boats remain unclear. “It’s still a developing situation,” he added.
Kedah state police chief Adzli Abu Shah told reporters that some of the survivors identified themselves as Rohingya Muslims fleeing persecution in Myanmar.
UNHCR spokesperson Diogo Alcantara said about 5,200 Rohingya have attempted risky sea crossings this year alone, with nearly 600 reported missing or dead. “We urge regional governments to strengthen search and rescue mechanisms to prevent such recurring tragedies,” he said.
Malaysia, which has a dominant Malay Muslim population, remains a preferred destination for Rohingya refugees despite tightening entry restrictions. Around 117,000 Rohingya are registered with the UNHCR in the country.
