Police are appealing for the next of kin of victims involved in a migrant boat tragedy off Langkawi, believed to have carried Rohingya migrants from Myanmar.
Langkawi police chief Assistant Commissioner Khairul Azhar Nuruddin said that investigations revealed 14 survivors, while 30 bodies were recovered after a 10-day search and rescue operation.
“Several of the 30 recovered bodies have been tentatively identified, but confirmation is still pending,” he said. He urged anyone who may recognize the victims or is related to them to come forward to assist with investigations.
“Next of kin are requested to report to the Langkawi district police headquarters to meet the investigating officer for DNA testing and the process of claiming the bodies,” Khairul added.
The incident, which occurred in early November, is believed to have involved Rohingya migrants fleeing persecution in Myanmar. Reports indicate the group traveled on a “mother vessel” carrying around 300 people before being transferred to two smaller boats near the maritime border.
One of the smaller boats, carrying an estimated 70 people, is believed to have capsized near Thailand’s Tarutao Island, with bodies drifting into Malaysian waters.
The United Nations has repeatedly described the Rohingya as one of the world’s most persecuted communities, many of whom continue to risk dangerous journeys in search of safety.
