LANGKAWI, Malaysia – At least 11 people have died after a boat carrying members of Myanmar’s Rohingya community capsized near the Thailand-Malaysia border, Malaysian authorities reported on Monday. Approximately 70 people were believed to be on board the vessel. The status of another boat carrying 230 passengers remains unclear, though 13 survivors, mostly Rohingya, have been rescued so far.
Thai authorities recovered four bodies, including two children, adding to the seven recovered by Malaysia’s maritime agency. The tragic incident highlights the ongoing peril faced by Rohingya refugees, many of whom attempt dangerous sea journeys to escape violence and difficult living conditions in Myanmar and Bangladesh.
Read More: Hundreds missing after boat sinks near Thai-Malaysia border
Malaysia’s maritime agency confirmed that air and sea assets from both Malaysia and Thailand are being deployed to search for survivors, with the operation expected to last up to seven days. Romli Mustafa, director of the agency in Kedah and Perlis, said strong coordination with Thai authorities is facilitating communication and rescue efforts.
The Rohingya, predominantly from Myanmar’s Rakhine state, have faced decades of ethnic violence, persecution, and displacement. About 1.3 million Rohingya now live as refugees in Bangladesh, and many continue to risk their lives at sea seeking safety in Malaysia and Indonesia.
Read More: Indonesia rejects Rohingya refugees, sends stricken boat to Malaysia
According to the UN Refugee Agency, over 5,100 Rohingya attempted sea journeys from Myanmar and Bangladesh between January and early November 2025, with nearly 600 reported dead or missing. The ongoing exodus underscores the urgent humanitarian challenges facing the Rohingya population.