Langkawi: Police are asking the next of kin of or anyone who recognises illegal immigrants who died in a boat capsize incident in Malaysian-Thailand border waters in November to come forward to claim the bodies of the victims. Langkawi district police chief ACP Khairul Azhar Nuruddin said the individuals may go to the Langkawi district police headquarters (IPD) and meet with the investigating officer handling the case.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, ACP Khairul Azhar Nuruddin stated that on November 8, police received information regarding the boat capsize incident involving about 100 victims, all believed to be ethnic Rohingya migrants fleeing Myanmar. Fourteen victims survived while 30 others died. There were several of them partially identified but not yet confirmed. So, authorities are urging the next of kin or members of the public who recognise the victims to meet the IPD investigating officer and undergo DNA testing to claim the bodies.

He further mentioned that any additional information or enquiries can be directed to Investigating Officers Inspector Nor Amin Nordin or SM Mohd Shahril Mohd Isnin at 04-9666222. In November, a boat believed to be carrying illegal immigrants sank, and several bodies were recovered during a nine-day search and rescue operation covering a search area of 1,745.88 square nautical miles.

The operation was activated on November 9 after the Langkawi Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre (MRSC) received a report of the first victim found in Langkawi waters the day before.