Police and MMEA increase patrols around Langkawi after migrant boat sinking, with 10 survivors found and reports of up to 300 passengers missing
LANGKAWI: Authorities have intensified surveillance operations around Langkawi following reports of a migrant boat sinking near the Malaysia-Thailand maritime border.
Kedah police chief Datuk Adzli Abu Shah confirmed patrols have been stepped up around Teluk Ewa and nearby coastal areas.
He urged residents to alert authorities if they encounter any survivors hiding or stranded in the area.
“So far, 10 survivors, comprising Myanmar, Bangladeshi and Rohingya nationals, and the body of a Rohingya woman have been found,” Adzli told reporters.
Survivor accounts differ, with some claiming a main vessel carrying about 300 people sank while others said the group transferred to three smaller boats, one of which capsized.
“Investigations are still ongoing. The figure of 300 passengers remains unverified. If accurate, we would likely have found more victims by now,” he said.
Adzli added that more victims could surface within the next three to seven days, either alive or otherwise.
Police are working with the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency to determine the exact sinking location.
Efforts are also underway to identify those responsible for smuggling the migrants into Malaysia.
All survivors have been detained for not possessing valid travel documents.
Investigators believe the syndicate selected Langkawi as their intended landing point.
Preliminary questioning revealed some migrants paid about 400,000 Bangladeshi taka (approximately RM13,000) each for the voyage.
Others said their families would make payment after they arrived in Malaysia.
“Many of them sold their homes and livestock to fund the journey, hoping to start a new life here. They were required to pay before being allowed on board,” Adzli said. – Bernama
