by Hafizur Rahman
November 10, 2025 —
A boat carrying Rohingya refugees from Myanmar sank near the Malaysia–Thailand border, leaving hundreds missing, Malaysian authorities confirmed on Monday. At least seven people have been found dead, and 13 have been rescued so far.
The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) said the vessel was carrying around 300 people and went down near Langkawi Island. Rescuers are currently searching an area of about 170 square nautical miles for survivors.
Officials reported that the boat departed from Rakhine State, Myanmar, three days earlier. Many of those on board were seeking to reach Malaysia in search of safety and livelihood opportunities after years of persecution in Myanmar and hardship in Bangladesh’s refugee camps.
According to local reports, the group initially boarded a large vessel in Myanmar before transferring to three smaller boats to avoid maritime patrols. The status of the other two boats remains unknown, and search-and-rescue operations are ongoing.
The Rohingya, a Muslim minority denied citizenship in Myanmar, have faced persecution for decades. Since the 2017 military crackdown in Rakhine State, more than one million Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh. Many continue to risk their lives at sea, attempting dangerous crossings to Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand.
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) reports that more than 5,100 Rohingya have attempted sea journeys so far this year, with nearly 600 people dead or missing.
