Thai authorities recover six more bodies from capsized migrant boat near Langkawi, bringing total victims to 26 as search expands to 250 nautical miles
LANGKAWI: Thai authorities have recovered six more bodies believed to be victims of a capsized migrant boat in waters near the Thailand-Malaysia border.
Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency director for Kedah and Perlis Maritime First Admiral Romli Mustafa confirmed the discovery brings the total number of victims found to 26.
The tally includes 13 survivors and 13 deceased individuals from the tragic incident.
“We expect to discover more victims today, as sea current patterns in the search area indicate that they are drifting towards Malaysian waters,” Romli told reporters.
Search and rescue operations continued with the search radius expanded to more than 250 square nautical miles.
Multiple agency assets are participating in the expanded search effort.
The search area expansion follows sea current estimates that may have carried victims further from the original location.
Operations are concentrated in the southern waters of Tarutao Island, while Thai authorities focus on northern waters.
Approximately 300 Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants were believed to have boarded a vessel before transferring to two boats.
One boat carrying about 70 immigrants capsized in Tarutao Island waters about 2.5 nautical miles north of Langkawi.
The location of the original vessel and the second boat carrying approximately 230 immigrants remains unknown.
Langkawi police chief ACP Khairul Azhar Nuruddin confirmed investigations into a suspected smuggling syndicate.
“Information obtained from the survivors indicated they had dealings with agents in Myanmar,” he said.
Phone numbers recovered from victims suggest possible involvement of agents operating in Malaysia.
“The case is still at the initial stage of investigation,” Khairul added.
“Based on the phone numbers retrieved, we will conduct further inquiries, as there is a strong possibility that a syndicate is involved.” – Bernama
