Thai and Malaysian authorities reported that at least 11 people died when a boat carrying Rohingya migrants from Myanmar capsized near the Thai-Malaysian border. It is estimated that about 70 passengers were on board.
Malaysian officials stated that the fate of another boat carrying around 230 people remains unknown, but 13 survivors, mostly Rohingya, have been found. Thai authorities discovered four more bodies, including two children, adding to the seven bodies previously found by Malaysian maritime agencies.
This boat sinking occurred amid a surge in Rohingya migration as people flee violence in Myanmar and dire conditions in refugee camps in Bangladesh, leading many to risk sea journeys to Malaysia and Indonesia.
Myanmar’s Rakhine State, home to the Rohingya, has faced long-standing conflict, famine, and ethnic violence. Following a brutal military crackdown in 2017, more than 1.3 million Rohingya were forced to flee to Bangladesh.
On Langkawi Island, near the search area, Malaysian maritime authorities reported that both Thailand and Malaysia have deployed aircraft and ships for rescue efforts, coordinating closely. The search operation is expected to last up to seven days.
Romli Mustafa, director of the maritime agency for Malaysia’s Kedah and Perlis states, said the boat left Myanmar near the Bangladesh border about two weeks ago. Some passengers transferred to another boat last Thursday. Among the 13 survivors, 11 are Rohingya and 2 are Bangladeshi.
Data from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) indicates that from January to early November this year, about 5,100 Rohingya have taken sea routes from Myanmar and Bangladesh, with nearly 600 reported dead or missing.
Thai maritime command center officials reported that the four bodies found in Thai waters include two children aged around 10 to 12, and two adults. Among them, two women holding refugee cards were identified as Rohingya.