Rohingya Migrant Boat Tragedy: Hundreds Feared Missing After Vessel Carrying 300 Capsizes Near Thailand-Malaysia Border

Rohingya boat tragedy: Hundreds of people are feared missing after a boat carrying migrants from Myanmar sank near the Thailand-Malaysia maritime border, Malaysian authorities confirmed on Sunday. At least ten survivors have been rescued and one body recovered so far, as rescue operations continue in rough sea conditions.

According to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), the vessel had set sail from Buthidaung in Myanmar’s Rakhine State with approximately 300 people on board. The tragedy reportedly occurred three days ago in Thai waters before debris and survivors drifted into Malaysian territory near Langkawi.

“More victims might still be found at sea,” said First Admiral Romli Mustafa, director of MMEA for the northern states of Kedah and Perlis. “Our search-and-rescue operations are ongoing, and efforts have been intensified along the maritime boundary.” Among the ten people rescued were three Myanmar nationals, two Rohingya men, and one Bangladeshi man, officials said. The recovered body was identified as that of a Rohingya woman.

Transfer To Smaller Boats Led To Disaster

Authorities believe the migrants initially travelled aboard a large vessel before being ordered to transfer to three smaller boats as they neared the Malaysian border. Each smaller craft was reportedly carrying about 100 passengers, a tactic often used to evade detection by maritime patrols.

Kedah police chief Adzli Abu Shah told state news agency Bernama that the sinking likely took place in Thai waters. “Three days ago, the boat they were on capsized. The incident is believed to have occurred in Thai waters before they drifted into Malaysian waters,” he said.

The fate of the other two boats remains unclear. “The status of the other two vessels is still unknown. We are coordinating with Thai authorities and continuing aerial and sea searches,” Adzli added.

Rohingya Continue To Risk Lives At Sea

The tragedy once again underscores the desperate plight of the Rohingya, a persecuted Muslim minority in Myanmar’s Rakhine State. Denied citizenship and basic rights, thousands attempt the perilous sea journey each year in search of refuge in Malaysia, Indonesia, or Thailand.

Human rights organisations have long warned of overcrowded, unsafe boats used by traffickers, which often result in mass drownings during the monsoon season. “This latest disaster highlights the urgent need for regional cooperation to prevent such tragedies,” said a humanitarian worker based in Kuala Lumpur, who requested anonymity due to security concerns.

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The Malaysian maritime agency has deployed multiple vessels and aircraft in coordination with Thai authorities to locate remaining survivors and the missing boats. Strong currents and poor visibility have hampered efforts, officials said. “We are doing everything possible to locate those missing. Our teams are working round the clock,” Admiral Mustafa noted.

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As of Sunday evening, no further survivors or bodies had been found. Rescue officials warned that the number of missing persons could rise sharply as more information emerges. The incident is among the deadliest involving Rohingya refugees in recent years, once again drawing attention to the continuing humanitarian crisis in the region.