Kuala Lumpur(The COW News DIgital) At least 300 people are reported missing after three boats carrying migrants sank near the Malaysia-Thailand border, authorities confirmed on Sunday. The maritime tragedy has prompted an urgent rescue operation and raised concerns over the safety of migrant routes in the region.
According to the Malaysian Maritime Authority, the incident occurred three days ago. So far, one person has been confirmed dead, and ten survivors have been rescued. The remaining passengers, estimated at around 300, are still unaccounted for.
Reports indicate that one of the boats was carrying migrants from Myanmar, including Rohingya refugees, and Bangladesh, while two other vessels with unknown numbers of passengers are also missing. Initial investigations suggest that over 300 individuals were originally on a larger vessel before being transferred to three smaller boats, each carrying roughly 100 people.
Rescue operations are ongoing, with Malaysian authorities deploying search teams and patrol vessels to locate survivors. However, rough seas and the remote location of the incident have complicated recovery efforts. Local officials have emphasized the urgency of coordinating with Thai maritime authorities to expand the search area and prevent further casualties.
The incident underscores the persistent risks faced by migrants attempting to reach Southeast Asia, often via overcrowded and unsafe vessels. Humanitarian groups have repeatedly warned about the dangers of such journeys, citing insufficient safety measures, exploitation by traffickers, and unpredictable maritime conditions.
This tragedy follows similar maritime disasters in the region, including incidents in Turkey and the Mediterranean, highlighting the global challenges of migrant and refugee movements. Authorities in Malaysia and Thailand have pledged to investigate the circumstances leading to the sinking, including the conditions of the boats and the involvement of smugglers.
Families of the missing migrants are anxiously awaiting news as the rescue operations continue. Human rights organizations are calling for increased safety protocols and stricter monitoring of migration routes to prevent further loss of life.
The search and rescue mission is expected to continue in the coming days, with officials urging anyone with information to come forward to aid in locating the missing individuals.
