After being stranded for several days on a Malaysian island, a weakened and shaken Iman Shorif shared on Tuesday his harrowing experience of witnessing a child’s drowning as their boat, transporting migrants from Myanmar, overturned.
Iman, an 18-year-old from Myanmar’s oppressed Rohingya minority, survived the shipwreck off the Thai-Malaysian coast last week, which claimed at least 26 lives.
He was rescued by a Malaysian boat in a bay on Langkawi island, five days after the vessel carrying about 70 undocumented migrants sank near the maritime border between Thailand and Malaysia.
Speaking to journalists post-rescue, Iman recounted that the journey began from Buthidaung, a small town in Myanmar’s Rakhine state, and lasted “five to six days” before the boat sank.
“I witnessed a death… it was a child, I saw him drown,” said the visibly weakened teen.
Rescuer Mohd Zamri Abdul Ghani mentioned that Iman was noticed when he waved with a polystyrene board.
“We were deeply moved upon finding him… Because it was already the fourth day” of the search mission, Zamri told journalists.
“He was thrilled to see us… Physically, he appeared exhausted.”
Iman was stranded near a waterfall, providing him a source of fresh water, according to the rescuer.
Missing boat
Officials indicate the migrants on the sunken boat were Rohingya community members trying to reach Malaysia.
They likely belonged to a larger group of around 300 people who departed Myanmar two weeks ago, split between at least two boats.
The second vessel was reported missing by police, and its status remains unknown.
As search efforts continued, Malaysian authorities announced that by Tuesday afternoon, another eight bodies were recovered, raising the total to 20.
On the Thai side, an official told AFP under anonymity that six bodies were found, including at least two with ID cards from the United Nations’ refugee agency UNHCR.
Since Sunday, 14 survivors, mostly Rohingya and Bangladeshi, have been rescued in Malaysian waters.
At least 12 vessels are searching for survivors in an area covering about 250 square nautical miles, akin to the size of Singapore.
‘Urgent concerns’
Relatively prosperous Malaysia hosts millions of migrants from poorer Asian regions, many undocumented, working in sectors like construction and agriculture.
However, sea crossings managed by human trafficking rings are perilous and often cause overloaded boats to capsize.
The Rohingya have faced persecution in Myanmar for decades, with thousands risking their lives annually to escape repression and conflict, often using makeshift boats.
In 2024, UNHCR data showed about 657 Rohingya perished in the region’s waters.
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) highlighted on Tuesday that the recent shipwreck “raises urgent humanitarian concerns”.
“People don’t leave Myanmar or Bangladesh by choice — these are dangerous boat journeys made out of fear for their lives,” MSF stated.
