Seven dead after migrant boat sinks near Thai-Malaysian border

Hundreds of Rohingyas, who fled Myanmar in hopes of a better life in Malaysia, remain missing.

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Thirteen people have been rescued but dozens are missing. Malaysian Coast Guard estimate about 70 people were on board when the vessel sank near the resort island of Langkawi.

The migrants were among a group of 300 people, most of whom are Rohingyas, who left Myanmar's impoverished Rakhine state two weeks ago on a larger vessel before splitting into small boats, Malaysian maritime official said.

Rescue efforts have entered a second day, with the search area expanded from 170 to 256 square nautical miles.

Malaysia's maritime authority expects the operation, involving sea surface and aerial searches, to last seven days.