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Rohingya Boat Disaster Near Thai–Malaysia Border Leaves At Least 21 Dead, Dozens Missing

Joint air-sea searches continue for survivors after a vessel carrying refugees sank near Langkawi.

Overview

  • Malaysian and Thai authorities report at least 21 bodies recovered so far and 13 survivors rescued, with more people still unaccounted for.
  • Officials say about 300 people departed Buthidaung in Myanmar on a larger craft before being moved into smaller boats to evade detection.
  • One boat with roughly 70 on board is believed to have capsized near Koh Tarutao, while a second vessel carrying around 230 people remains missing.
  • Search operations have expanded around Langkawi and Koh Tarutao using aircraft and patrol vessels, with Malaysia planning to keep efforts underway for up to seven days.
  • Victims include Rohingya and Bangladeshi nationals, among them children, as authorities probe trafficking networks and detain rescued passengers for immigration inquiries.