Malaysian authorities have confirmed that the death toll from the tragic migrant shipwreck off the coast of Langkawi has risen to thirteen, as search and rescue operations continue in the waters near the Malaysia–Thailand maritime border.
The vessel, believed to be carrying undocumented migrants from Myanmar, capsized on November 9, 2025, in rough seas. Among the passengers were members of the Rohingya community, fleeing conflict and persecution in Myanmar’s Rakhine state. The boat reportedly departed from Buthidaung with approximately 300 people on board, raising fears that hundreds may still be missing.
The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), in coordination with Thai authorities, has launched an extensive search operation covering 170 square nautical miles. So far, 13 bodies have been recovered, and 13 survivors have been rescued. The survivors are receiving medical attention and have been taken into custody for further investigation.
“This is a deeply distressing incident,” said a spokesperson for the MMEA. “We are doing everything in our power to locate and assist any remaining survivors. The scale of this tragedy underscores the urgent need for regional cooperation on migration and humanitarian protection.”
The incident has sparked renewed calls from international human rights organizations for safer migration pathways and stronger protections for displaced populations in Southeast Asia. The Rohingya, a stateless Muslim minority, have faced decades of systemic discrimination and violence in Myanmar, prompting many to undertake perilous sea journeys in search of refuge.
Authorities are urging local fishermen and coastal communities to report any sightings or debris that may aid in the rescue efforts. Meanwhile, investigations are underway to determine the cause of the capsizing and to identify the traffickers responsible for organizing the voyage.