Overview
- Officials say roughly 70 people were on the boat that capsized near Thailand's Tarutao Island four days ago, with 13 rescued alive.
- Malaysia has recovered seven bodies and Thailand six, including two children, bringing the confirmed death toll to at least 13.
- The group is believed to have left Myanmar about two weeks ago and was split by smugglers from a larger vessel into smaller boats to evade patrols.
- Search efforts now cover about 250 square nautical miles with at least 12 vessels and air assets deployed, and authorities expect to expand the grid.
- Survivors include Rohingya and Bangladeshi nationals, and officials warn trafficking syndicates are exploiting migrants on high‑risk sea routes.