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Boat with Rohingya migrants sinks: hundreds missing off Malaysia!
At least seven people died when a boat carrying Rohingya migrants sank near Thailand. Hundreds are missing. Rescue operations are underway.
Boat with Rohingya migrants sinks: hundreds missing off Malaysia!
On November 10, 2025, a tragedy off the coast of Malaysia shed new light on the dangers of migrant routes. A boat carrying members of the Rohingya community sank near the Thailand-Malaysia border. Reports from BBC and TBS News According to reports, at least seven people have died while hundreds remain missing. Among the survivors are 11 Rohingyas and two Bangladeshis; those rescued were brought to safety by the Malaysian Coast Guard.
The boat left two weeks ago from Myanmar's notorious Rakhine State, where ethnic violence and hunger are forcing people to flee. It is estimated that there were around 300 people on board, while at last count only 70 people were tied to the sunken boat. The Malaysian Maritime Authority has expanded the search area, which originally covered 170 square miles, to 256 square miles since the first day of rescue operations. The search is expected to last up to seven days, but hope for more survivors is dwindling.
Background to the escape
The Rohingyas, predominantly Muslim and deeply rooted in Myanmar society, are fighting not only against the denial of their citizenship, but also against violence and persecution. Since August 2017, hundreds of thousands have been driven from their homes by a brutal offensive by the Myanmar army. Living conditions in refugee camps in Bangladesh are precarious and many Rohingyas feel they have no choice but to embark on risky boats to reach Malaysia, a country they see as a safe haven.
In these tragic circumstances, recent developments in Myanmar are worrying. DW reports that the military conflict in the country has been fueled again. The Rohingya community there continues to face abuses and growing insecurity as the military junta and ethnic rebels such as the Arakan Army increasingly fight for control and autonomy.
The dangers of migration
The danger of a sea journey is known to many Rohingyas. The boats, which are often overcrowded and poorly equipped, are a reminder of the cruel fate of many who do not survive the journey. During the year, more than 5,100 Rohingyas attempted to leave Myanmar and Bangladesh, with nearly 600 people reported dead or missing. Reports show that many of them paid up to $3,000 for the passage. At a time when survival becomes a challenge, people are willing to risk their lives.
Although the rescue operation is underway, the situation of Rohingyas in the region remains alarming. The human and political conditions under which they live leave little hope for a positive change. Without international support and a change in thinking at the political level, the plight of the Rohingyas will continue, an alarming situation in an often forgotten conflict.