Victims tell authorities each passenger had paid about RM13,000 to the smuggling syndicate for the journey to Malaysia - November 9, 2025
One dead, dozens missing after migrant boat capsizes off Malaysia–Thailand waters
Six rescued as authorities search for over 90 missing passengers from vessel carrying Myanmar, Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants
A MIGRANT woman has died and six others have been rescued, while more than 90 people remain missing after a boat believed to be carrying undocumented migrants capsized near the maritime border between Malaysia and Thailand.
Kedah police chief Datuk Adzli Abu Shah said the vessel was part of a larger “mother ship” transporting around 300 people from Myanmar, Bangladesh and the Rohingya community. The group was reportedly transferred to three smaller boats as they approached Malaysian waters.
“About three days ago, as they neared Malaysia’s maritime boundary, the syndicate split the group and transferred them into three smaller boats, each carrying around 90 to 100 people,” Adzli said. “However, the boat carrying about 90 passengers is believed to have capsized, while the other two boats have yet to be located.”
He said the deceased was a woman from Myanmar, while the six survivors comprised citizens of Myanmar, including Rohingya, and Bangladesh.
Three survivors were found on Saturday morning, all men from Myanmar, while another three – two Rohingya and one Bangladeshi – were rescued later the same day.
According to Adzli, those rescued told authorities that each passenger had paid about RM13,000 to the smuggling syndicate for the journey to Malaysia.
“All 300 individuals from Myanmar, Bangladesh and the Rohingya community are believed to have sailed about three months ago on the mother ship. Further investigations are ongoing,” he said.
A search and rescue operation has been launched with assistance from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and the Marine Police Force to locate the missing passengers and the two boats that have not been traced. - November 9, 2025
