7 Myanmar migrants dead and 13 rescued after boat capsizes near Malaysia

Malaysian authorities have recovered the bodies of seven Myanmar migrants and rescued 13 survivors from a boat that capsized off the country’s northern coast, officials announced Sunday.

The vessel had departed from Buthidaung in Myanmar’s Rakhine state with approximately 300 people on board, according to First Admiral Romli Mustafa from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency. Preliminary investigations suggest that as the boat approached Malaysian waters, passengers were transferred to three smaller vessels.

One of these smaller boats is believed to have sunk near Thailand’s Tarutao island on Thursday, with victims drifting toward Malaysia’s northern resort island of Langkawi. The exact timing and location of the incident remain unclear, as does the fate of the other two boats.

Kedah state police chief Adzli Abu Shah told local media that some of the rescued individuals were Rohingya Muslims, a minority group that has faced decades of persecution in Myanmar. The Rohingya have been subjected to violence and discrimination that many international observers have characterized as ethnic cleansing.

Maritime officials recovered ten migrants and the body of a woman on Saturday. Search efforts intensified on Sunday, resulting in the discovery of six more bodies and three additional survivors. The search operation will continue into Monday, with authorities expanding the search area.

First Admiral Romli warned that cross-border criminal syndicates are increasingly exploiting desperate migrants by organizing these dangerous sea journeys. These networks typically charge substantial fees to transport people fleeing persecution or seeking better economic opportunities.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has called on governments in the region to enhance search and rescue operations and take preventive measures against such tragedies. According to UNHCR spokesman Diogo Alcantara, approximately 5,200 Rohingya refugees have attempted dangerous maritime journeys this year alone, with nearly 600 reported missing or dead.

This incident highlights an ongoing humanitarian crisis in Southeast Asia. In January, Malaysian authorities turned away two boats carrying nearly 300 people believed to be Rohingya refugees attempting to enter the country illegally. Malaysia has historically been a preferred destination for Rohingya due to its predominantly Muslim population, which provides a sense of cultural familiarity.

While Malaysia has accepted Rohingya refugees on humanitarian grounds in the past, the government has increasingly attempted to limit their numbers due to concerns about a potential mass influx. The country currently hosts approximately 117,670 Rohingya refugees registered with the UNHCR, representing about 59 percent of Malaysia’s total refugee population.

The maritime route from Myanmar through the Andaman Sea and Malacca Strait has become notorious for its dangers. Overcrowded vessels, often barely seaworthy, face treacherous waters, food and water shortages, and the constant threat of interception by authorities.

This latest tragedy occurs against the backdrop of worsening conditions in Myanmar following the 2021 military coup, which has further destabilized a country already struggling with long-standing ethnic conflicts. The situation in Rakhine state, home to most of Myanmar’s Rohingya population, remains particularly precarious.

Regional nations including Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand have faced criticism from human rights organizations for their handling of the Rohingya refugee crisis, with advocates calling for more coordinated and humane approaches to addressing the root causes of displacement while providing safe haven to those in need.