By US coast guard
Search Underway After Vessel Capsizes Off Ko Tarutao
Authorities have launched a large-scale search operation after a boat carrying migrants capsized near the maritime border between Thailand and Malaysia, leaving dozens missing and one confirmed dead.
The incident occurred on Thursday near the southern Thai island of Ko Tarutao, according to a statement from the Malaysian Coast Guard. Ten survivors have been rescued so far, while the body of a woman was recovered from the sea. Officials believe the woman was of Rohingya origin.
Survivors and Victims Identified
Preliminary investigations suggest the group was part of a larger vessel carrying around 300 people, which later split into smaller boats as it neared Malaysian waters.
Malaysia’s state news agency Bernama, citing police officials, reported that those rescued near the popular tourist island of Langkawi included three Myanmar nationals, two Rohingya men, and one Bangladeshi man.
Authorities confirmed that the deceased woman was a Rohingya migrant, and efforts are continuing to locate additional survivors believed to be adrift at sea.
Rohingya Refugees Risking Dangerous Journeys
The Rohingya, a persecuted Muslim minority from Myanmar, have fled their homeland in large numbers over recent years to escape systemic discrimination and violence in the Buddhist-majority country. Many have sought refuge in Bangladesh, but deteriorating conditions and limited opportunities in overcrowded camps have pushed thousands to attempt perilous sea crossings.
Malaysia, with its relatively better economic prospects and Muslim-majority population, remains a key destination for these migrants. However, the journey across the Andaman Sea is treacherous, often made aboard overcrowded and poorly equipped boats.
Smuggling Networks and Rising Costs
Officials believe those aboard the ill-fated vessel were part of a human smuggling operation. Passengers are thought to have paid over $3,000 (£2,300) each for passage to Malaysia.
Authorities from both countries have pledged to intensify maritime patrols and crack down on human trafficking syndicates that exploit vulnerable migrants seeking safety and a better life.
As rescue teams continue to scour the waters near Ko Tarutao and Langkawi, hopes remain that more survivors will be found.
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