Malaysia ends search, rescue operation for migrant boat

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- Malaysian authorities ended a search and rescue operation for a boat carrying undocumented migrants near the Malaysia-Thailand maritime border on Monday.

Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Deputy Director for Kedah and Perlis states, Zainudin Mohd Zuki, said the operation ended at 6:30 p.m. local time on Monday after a final assessment found no new leads, besides factoring in weather and risk considerations, in line with standard operation procedures.

Zainudin said that a total of 43 victims have been found, with 14 survivors and 29 deceased, adding that if there are new leads, the agency will review the situation and reactivate the operation.

Malaysian authorities said on Nov. 9 that around 300 undocumented migrants boarded a large vessel and departed from Myanmar, with the group being transferred into smaller boats as it reached Thai-Malaysian waters. One of these boats capsized. Enditem