The Rohingya, a stateless Muslim minority, have faced years of violence and restrictions in Myanmar and harsh conditions in Bangladesh’s refugee camps. (Photo: X/@HamidurRo24708) At least 11 people have died and 13 have been rescued after a boat carrying members of Myanmar’s persecuted Rohingya community capsized near the Thai-Malaysian maritime border, authorities said on Monday, as reported by Reuters. Dozens more remain missing, with about 70 people believed to have been on board, according to Malaysian and Thai officials.
Malaysia’s maritime agency said the boat sank near Langkawi island after departing Myanmar’s Rakhine state about two weeks ago. Air and sea searches are ongoing across an area of 170 square nautical miles, with assistance from Thai authorities. “We have got very good relations with the Thai agency, so we have good communication and exchanges of information,” said First Admiral Romli Mustafa, who heads Malaysia’s Maritime Enforcement Agency in Kedah and Perlis. He added that the search could continue for up to seven days, reported Reuters.
Thai authorities said they had recovered four bodies, including two children, while Malaysia found seven, bringing the total death toll to 11, according to Reuters.
Romli said 13 survivors have been found so far, including 11 Rohingya and two Bangladeshis. A preliminary investigation showed the boat had left from Buthidaung in Myanmar’s Rakhine state.
“There is a possibility that more victims will be located as the operation continues,” Romli told reporters. Some of the survivors were Rohingya Muslims, a community long persecuted in Myanmar, local police officials told national media.
The Rohingya, a stateless Muslim minority, have faced years of violence and restrictions in Myanmar and harsh conditions in Bangladesh’s refugee camps. Many attempt dangerous sea journeys to Malaysia and Indonesia in search of safety and better livelihoods.
According to the UN refugee agency, more than 5,100 Rohingya have attempted to leave Myanmar and Bangladesh by boat this year, with nearly 600 people reported dead or missing.
An official from Thailand’s maritime enforcement command centre told Reuters that two of the women recovered were carrying refugee cards identifying them as Rohingya.
Malaysia has in the past accepted Rohingya refugees on humanitarian grounds but has sought to limit arrivals over security and resource concerns. The UN says about 1,17,670 Rohingya are registered in Malaysia, making up nearly 60 per cent of the country’s total refugee population.
In January, Malaysian authorities turned away two boats carrying nearly 300 people believed to be Rohingya Muslims trying to enter the country illegally.
