11/11/2025
Seven Dead, Dozens Missing After Migrant Boat Sinks Near Thai–Malaysia Border
At least seven people have died and dozens remain missing after a boat carrying undocumented migrants sank near Malaysia’s Langkawi island, close to the Thai border.
Malaysia’s Coast Guard says 13 people have been rescued, while around 70 were believed to be on the vessel. The group was part of a larger journey of about 300 people — mostly Rohingya — who left Myanmar’s Rakhine state two weeks ago before splitting into smaller boats.
Rescue operations entered a second day on Monday, with the search area expanded to 256 square nautical miles. The mission includes sea and air patrols and is expected to continue for a week.
Authorities said the body recovered on Sunday was that of a Rohingya woman. Of the survivors, 11 are Rohingya and two are Bangladeshi.
Rohingya Muslims remain stateless in Myanmar and face severe persecution. Since a 2017 military crackdown, hundreds of thousands have taken refuge in Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar camps. Difficult conditions there have pushed many to risk dangerous sea crossings to Malaysia, often paying over $3,000 each to traffickers for cramped and unsafe voyages.