On the shores of northern Langkawi Island, close to the Thailand–Malaysia border, a grim scene has unfolded over the past week: the bodies of Rohingya refugees, victims of a capsized boat, have been steadily recovered by search-and-rescue teams. As of Tuesday, November 11, 2025, the death toll has risen to at least 27, following the latest reports from Malaysian and Thai authorities, according to the Associated Press and Reuters.
The tragedy began when a vessel carrying approximately 70 Rohingya migrants, desperate to escape persecution and deteriorating conditions in Myanmar’s Rakhine state, capsized near Thailand’s Ko Tarutao island. The incident occurred just three days after the boat departed from Buthidaung, a town in Rakhine, according to survivors’ accounts cited by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA). The boat was part of a larger exodus, with around 300 people split into at least three smaller vessels as they neared Malaysia’s maritime border.
Rescue operations have been ongoing since Saturday, November 8, as authorities race against time to locate survivors and recover the deceased. The MMEA reported on Tuesday that another survivor had been found and eight more bodies had been recovered, bringing the agency’s confirmed death count to 20—comprising seven men, nine women, and four children. The agency also confirmed 14 survivors had been pulled from the water as of November 11. Meanwhile, Thai officials in Satun province announced the discovery of six bodies in their waters on Sunday and Monday, and another body was found on Tuesday afternoon, believed to be a Rohingya man. This brings the cross-border death toll to at least 27, though the search continues.
Romli Mustafa, director of the MMEA in the northern states of Kedah and Perlis, told reporters that search-and-rescue operations are expected to last for seven days, with efforts concentrated around Langkawi and Ko Tarutao. The fate of the other two boats, carrying the remainder of the original 300-strong group, remains unclear, deepening the anxiety among humanitarian agencies and the families of those at sea.
According to the United Nations Refugee Agency and the International Organization for Migration, the incident is the latest in a series of maritime tragedies involving Rohingya refugees. So far in 2025, at least 5,300 Rohingya have embarked on perilous sea journeys from Bangladesh and Myanmar, with more than 600 reported dead or missing. These figures, released in a joint statement by both agencies, underscore the growing desperation and danger faced by the Rohingya, one of the world’s most persecuted minorities.
The agencies called for “more resources and stronger regional and international efforts to enhance search-and-rescue capacity and safe access to asylum to avoid such tragedies.” Their statement also highlighted that worsening conditions in Bangladesh’s overcrowded refugee camps, coupled with the ongoing conflict in Myanmar since the 2021 military takeover, have forced more families—especially women and children—to risk their lives at sea.
For years, the Rohingya have faced systematic discrimination and violence in Buddhist-majority Myanmar, where authorities deny them citizenship, labeling them as undocumented immigrants from South Asia. This has left them stateless, vulnerable, and often forced into squalid camps or perilous journeys in search of safety. Many have sought refuge in neighboring Muslim-majority countries like Malaysia and Indonesia, as well as in Thailand, but the journey is fraught with danger. The boats used are typically rickety, overcrowded, and ill-equipped for the open sea.
Malaysia, with its dominant Malay Muslim population, has long been a favored destination for Rohingya seeking safety and economic opportunity. While the country has accepted Rohingya refugees on humanitarian grounds in the past, authorities have increasingly tried to limit arrivals, citing fears of a mass influx. In January 2025, Malaysian authorities turned away two boats carrying nearly 300 Rohingya, a move that drew criticism from international rights groups. According to the UN refugee agency, Malaysia currently hosts around 117,670 registered Rohingya—about 59% of the country’s total refugee population.
The latest tragedy has reignited debate across Southeast Asia over how best to respond to the ongoing Rohingya crisis. Human rights advocates argue that regional governments must do more to protect refugees and provide safe, legal pathways to asylum. “We are deeply concerned by the scale of potential loss of life and urge all countries in the region to step up their efforts,” said a spokesperson for the International Organization for Migration in the joint statement. Despite such calls, many governments remain wary of opening their borders, fearing domestic backlash and resource constraints.
Meanwhile, the survivors of the capsized boat face an uncertain future. Many are likely to be detained or placed in immigration centers, where conditions can be harsh. Others may be allowed to remain in Malaysia on humanitarian grounds, but without legal status, access to employment, or basic services, their prospects remain bleak. “The situation is dire, and the international community must not look away,” said a representative from the UN refugee agency.
Back in Myanmar and Bangladesh, the root causes of the Rohingya exodus persist. The military coup in Myanmar has only deepened instability and violence, particularly in Rakhine state, where the Rohingya have long been targets of military operations and communal strife. In Bangladesh, nearly a million Rohingya live in crowded camps in Cox’s Bazar, facing dwindling aid and mounting restrictions. As conditions worsen, more families are likely to attempt the dangerous journey by sea, despite the risks.
Regional cooperation remains a major challenge. While search-and-rescue efforts in this latest incident have involved both Malaysian and Thai authorities, coordination beyond emergency response has been lacking. Experts warn that without a comprehensive, regional approach—including safe migration channels, protection for refugees, and efforts to address the root causes in Myanmar—the cycle of tragedy will continue.
As search teams continue their grim work off the coasts of Langkawi and Ko Tarutao, the world is once again confronted with the human cost of inaction. The bodies recovered from the sea are a stark reminder that, for the Rohingya, the search for safety remains as perilous as ever.
