Death toll from capsized boat with Myanmar migrants climbs to 27 as more bodies recovered

The death toll from a capsized boat carrying Rohingya migrants from Myanmar rose to 27 on Tuesday, after rescuers in Thailand and Malaysia recovered more bodies at sea.

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency said rescuers found another survivor and recovered eight more bodies on Tuesday off northern Langkawi island, close to the Thailand border.

This brought its total to 20 deaths, comprising seven men, nine women and four children, plus 14 survivors, it said.

Thai media reports cited local officials in the southern Satun province as saying one more body of a man believed to be a Muslim Rohingya refugee was found Tuesday afternoon.

The Romsai Rescue Foundation in the province had earlier announced that six bodies were found in Thai waters on Sunday and Monday.

Malaysian authorities have said an estimated 70 people were on board the capsized boat, based on survivors’ accounts.