The vessel had reportedly departed from Rakhine State, a region in Myanmar where the persecuted Rohingya Muslim minority continue to face severe restrictions on movement, access to aid and basic rights. Many others are stranded in overcrowded refugee camps across the border in Bangladesh, where living conditions have sharply deteriorated.
Rights groups and international agencies warn the tragedy is likely a sign of what may lie ahead in the coming months, as calmer seas during the post-monsoon period typically trigger an uptick in maritime departures.
Malaysia’s maritime agency said the capsized boat was one of three vessels carrying around 300 people that had set off from Myanmar’s Buthidaung township several days earlier. Thirteen survivors were rescued off the coast of northern Kedah state, but dozens remain unaccounted for.
Seven bodies – including that of a child – were recovered by Malaysian authorities over the weekend, while Thai officials said they found four more on Monday, according to Reuters.
