The death toll from a capsised boat carrying Rohingya migrants from Myanmar climbed to 26 on Tuesday as more bodies were recovered in Malaysian and Thai waters, officials said.
Malaysia’s maritime agency reported 8 additional bodies and 1 new survivor found near Langkawi, bringing Malaysia’s total to 20 dead (7 men, 9 women, 4 children) and 14 survivors. Thailand’s Romsai Rescue Foundation said 6 bodies were recovered in Satun province waters.
Authorities estimate about 70 people were aboard the vessel, believed to be one of three smaller boats that split from a larger craft carrying roughly 300 passengers departing Buthidaung, Rakhine state. One boat is thought to have sunk near Tarutao island on Thursday; the status of the other two remains unknown.
The UNHCR and IOM urged stronger regional search-and-rescue efforts and safer access to asylum, noting that 5,300 Rohingya have attempted perilous sea journeys this year, with 600+ missing or dead. Malaysia, a frequent destination due to cultural ties, hosts about 117,670 registered Rohingya, around 59% of its refugee population.
