A vessel carrying migrants from Myanmar’s Rakhine state sank near the Malaysia–Thailand maritime border, leaving at least eleven confirmed dead and hundreds feared missing.

The incident unfolded as the boat left Buthidaung in Myanmar and was later transferred into smaller craft before one reportedly foundered close to Tarutao Island, Thailand.

Malaysian maritime officials reported that one of the three smaller boats carrying around three hundred people sank, while the remaining two remain unaccounted for.

Rescuers have recovered thirteen survivors — mostly Rohingya Muslims — and are expanding the search across roughly one hundred and seventy square nautical miles.

Among the dead are children, and Malaysian and Thai agencies are cooperating with air and sea assets in the operation.

The plight of the Rohingya minority has been a persistent humanitarian challenge: more than five thousand people from Myanmar and Bangladesh have embarked on dangerous sea journeys in 2025 alone, with nearly six-hundred reported dead or missing during the voyages.

Smugglers and trafficking networks are believed to be exploiting the desperate situation, and authorities warn of increased risk along these routes.

Malaysia has previously hosted more than 117,000 registered Rohingya refugees but has sought to limit new arrivals by boat amid concerns over security and capacity.

Both Malaysia and Thailand now face pressure to respond to the unfolding crisis and intensify joint search-and-rescue efforts to prevent further loss of life.

As the search operation continues, the incident underscores both the acute desperation of the Rohingya and the regional challenge of addressing maritime migration amid fragile coordination among states.