At least 11 Rohingya refugees have been confirmed dead after a wooden boat carrying around 70 passengers sank near the Thailand–Malaysia maritime border, authorities said on Monday. Search operations are continuing as dozens remain missing and hopes fade for more survivors.
The victims were among Myanmar’s persecuted Rohingya Muslim minority, many of whom undertake dangerous sea journeys to flee conflict and poverty in Myanmar’s Rakhine State or overcrowded refugee camps in Bangladesh.
Malaysia’s maritime agency said 13 survivors—mostly Rohingya had been rescued so far. Four bodies, including two children, were recovered by Thai authorities, adding to seven found by Malaysian teams.
Both countries have deployed air and sea assets in a joint operation near Langkawi Island, a frequent landing point for Rohingya boats. “We have strong coordination with Thai agencies, allowing faster information exchange and search coverage,” said Romli Mustafa, director of Malaysia’s maritime agency in Kedah and Perlis.
Officials said the ill-fated boat likely departed from Myanmar’s border with Bangladesh about two weeks ago, with some passengers reportedly transferring to another vessel days before the sinking.
Driven by persecution, hunger, and lack of opportunities, thousands of Rohingya continue to risk their lives at sea. According to UNHCR, over 5,100 Rohingya have embarked on such journeys from January to early November 2025, with nearly 600 people reported dead or missing.
Myanmar’s Rakhine State remains scarred by years of conflict and ethnic violence, particularly since the 2017 military crackdown that forced over 1.3 million Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh.
Despite international concern, safe migration routes remain scarce, leaving many Rohingya at the mercy of smugglers and treacherous seas in desperate bids to reach Malaysia or Indonesia.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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