The Malaysian maritime authority reported that hundreds of people were still missing after a boat capsized near the Thailand-Malaysia boundary on Sunday. Ten survivors and one dead body were found, but the Malaysian maritime authorities said they were still searching for more.

According to First Admiral Romli Musafa, director of maritime authority for northern Malaysian states Kedah & Perlis, more victims could still be found in the sea three days after the ship sank, which left Buthidaung (Myanmar) with around 300 people aboard.

Three Myanmar men, two Rohingya and one Bangladeshi men were among the survivors discovered in the waters near Langkawi, according to state media Bernama, citing Kedah Police Chief Adzli Abu Shah.

The Rohingya, a predominantly Muslim minority, flee Myanmar's majority Buddhist majority, where they are viewed as South Asian foreigners who have been denied citizenship, and are subjected to abuse.

Adzli, a Malaysian-bound passenger, was quoted saying that the passengers initially boarded an enormous vessel, but when they approached the border they were told to switch to three smaller boats each carrying 100 people to avoid being detected by the authorities.

He said that the status of two other boats was unknown and that a search-and rescue operation was in progress. (Reporting and editing by Ashley Tang, Kuala Lumpur)

(source: Reuters)