Shipwreck in waters between Malaysia and Thailand results in 29 deaths, Malaysian authorities announce end of search and rescue efforts.

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Department announced on the 17th that there were no new developments in the search and rescue operation for the recent boat sinking incident in the waters between Malaysia and Thailand. The joint search and rescue operation, which lasted for 9 days, officially ended at 18:30. The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Department stated that as of now, a total of 29 bodies of the deceased have been discovered and confirmed during the search and rescue operation, with 14 survivors. The statement mentioned that due to no new developments in the search and rescue operation, combined with deteriorating weather conditions and increased risks at sea, the authorities have decided to end the operation on the evening of the 17th based on the assessment and standard procedures of the search and rescue operation. If there are any new developments in the future, the Malaysian authorities will restart the search and rescue operation accordingly. The statement also mentioned that during the 9-day search and rescue operation, over 300 personnel were deployed by the Malaysian authorities. The survivors and the bodies of the deceased have been handed over to the police. The Malaysian Minister of Home Affairs said on the same day that this incident exposed loopholes in Malaysia's maritime border control and that efforts will be made to strengthen relevant law enforcement and deployment in the future. According to preliminary investigations released by the Malaysian police on the 9th, about 300 illegal immigrants boarded a boat in Myanmar destined for Malaysia. To evade inspection and interception by law enforcement agencies, the smuggling group transferred the individuals using small boats upon reaching waters near Malaysia, with one boat sinking in the sea between Malaysia and Thailand.