Malaysian rescuers recovered five more bodies from a migrant boat that capsized last week, bringing the confirmed fatalities to 12. The victims — two men, two women and a boy — were found near northern Langkawi close to the Thai border. Survivors say about 70 people were aboard; 13 have been rescued while dozens remain missing. Authorities say the migrants likely came from a larger vessel that left Buthidaung in Myanmar and was split into three smaller boats near Malaysia.
Five More Bodies Recovered After Migrant Boat Capsizes Off Malaysia; Death Toll Rises to 12
Malaysian rescuers recovered five more bodies from a migrant boat that capsized last week, bringing the confirmed fatalities to 12. The victims — two men, two women and a boy — were found near northern Langkawi close to the Thai border. Survivors say about 70 people were aboard; 13 have been rescued while dozens remain missing. Authorities say the migrants likely came from a larger vessel that left Buthidaung in Myanmar and was split into three smaller boats near Malaysia.
02:38 AM, 11/11/2025Society
Rescue teams recover five more bodies after migrant boat capsizes off Langkawi
Malaysian rescuers searching for dozens of people still unaccounted for after a migrant boat from Myanmar capsized last week recovered five more bodies on Monday, bringing the confirmed death toll to 12.
Victims and location: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency said the remains of two men, two women and a boy were found in waters off northern Langkawi Island, near the border with Thailand.
Survivors and missing: First Adm. Romli Mustafa said survivors reported roughly 70 people had been aboard the small vessel when it capsized. Over the past two days, 13 people have been rescued; dozens remain missing.
Origin and possible route: Officials said the migrants originally traveled on a larger boat that left Buthidaung in Myanmar’s Rakhine state with an estimated 300 people. As that vessel approached Malaysian waters, passengers are believed to have been transferred into three smaller boats. One of those boats is thought to have sunk near Tarutao Island in southern Thailand on Thursday.
The precise timing and exact location of the sinking have not been confirmed, and authorities say the fate of the other two small boats remains unclear.
Search operation: Malaysian teams, supported by aerial surveillance, expanded the search area on Monday and planned to continue operations into Tuesday.
Context: Authorities said some of the rescued were Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar, a community that has faced longstanding persecution. Malaysia is a common destination for Rohingya seeking to enter irregularly because of its majority Malay Muslim population. While Malaysia has granted asylum or humanitarian assistance in the past, officials have also sought to limit arrivals by sea; in January, Malaysian authorities turned away two boats carrying nearly 300 people believed to be Rohingya refugees.
According to the U.N. refugee agency, roughly 117,670 Rohingya are registered in Malaysia, representing about 59% of the country’s registered refugee population.
The search continues as authorities and humanitarian groups monitor the situation and urge caution and assistance for survivors.