Seven killed, dozens missing as trafficking-linked migrant boat capsizes near Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur: Malaysian officials have confirmed that at least seven people were killed after a boat carrying around 90 undocumented migrants capsized near the Thai border. The victims, believed to be part of a larger group of about 300 people who departed from Myanmar, were likely being transported by human traffickers.

Kedah state police chief Adzli Abu Shah told local media that the boat overturned near Thailand's Tarutao Island, north of Malaysia’s Langkawi. According to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), three survivors and six bodies were recovered on Sunday, raising the confirmed death toll to seven.

MMEA director Romli Mustafa said the bodies included five women and a young girl. Another body, found earlier, is believed to be that of a Rohingya woman from Myanmar. Authorities said at least 13 people have been rescued so far, while search operations continue for others feared missing.

“The search and rescue operations will resume on Monday,” Romli said, adding that the boat likely went down three days ago. Two other vessels from the same group remain missing, according to preliminary investigations.

Police believe the migrants were initially ferried on a large vessel from Myanmar before being split into three smaller boats near Malaysian waters. “As they neared the border, they were instructed to transfer onto smaller boats, each carrying around 100 people,” Adzli told the Bernama news agency.

Malaysia’s relatively affluent economy attracts millions of migrant workers from poorer neighbouring countries, including Bangladesh and Myanmar. Many undocumented migrants, particularly members of Myanmar’s persecuted Rohingya minority, risk their lives travelling by sea through dangerous routes controlled by human trafficking syndicates.

MMEA officials said these criminal networks charge migrants up to USD 3,500 for passage into Malaysia, often under life-threatening conditions. “Cross-border syndicates are now increasingly active in exploiting migrants by making them victims of human trafficking using high-risk sea routes,” Romli said.

The latest tragedy highlights ongoing challenges in the region’s efforts to curb human trafficking and secure maritime borders. In December 2021, more than 20 migrants drowned off Malaysia’s coast in similar incidents.

The Malaysian authorities have pledged to continue search efforts and identify the deceased, while regional agencies warn of a growing humanitarian crisis as more migrants attempt perilous sea crossings from Myanmar.
(With AFP inputs)