17 bodies recovered, 8 still missing after motorboat sinks Near Kyaukka Village in Pulaw Township

According to the Myeik Township Social Welfare Association, 17 bodies have been recovered after a motorboat sank near Kyaukka Village in Pulaw Township, with eight people still missing. The search operations have been halted due to the stormy weather.

“We’ve found 17 bodies over two days. Now, the search has been paused. It’s difficult to continue searching due to the storm. We stopped the search yesterday afternoon. Based on the records, eight people are still missing, but none have been found yet,” said a representative from the Myeik Social Welfare Association.

The representative added that the sunken motorboat has not yet been found, and only when it is located can there be further information about the missing individuals.

“We haven’t been able to find the boat yet,” said the representative from the Myeik Social Welfare Association.

The boat capsized on October 21, with eight bodies recovered that day and an additional nine found on the morning of October 22, bringing the total to 17. Over 60 people were rescued by locals after the boat sank.

Among the nine bodies recovered on the morning of October 22 were 16-year-old Ma Zu Hlaing Lin, 5-year-old Maung Phone Ko Ko, 6-year-old Maung Aung Zwe, 7-year-old Ma Zu Zu San, 17-year-old Ma Hnin Ei Kyaw, 13-year-old Maung Swae Mat Aung, 15-year-old Maung Kun Set Aung, and 16-year-old Ma May Thazin Phu.

The victims were from the villages of Kansun Inn, Kyaukka, Toe, Kawkdwe and Pyinnge and Pala Town.

The motorboat sank around 9 PM on October 20 while traveling from Kyaukka Village in Pulaw Township to Myeik Town. It sank near the mouth of Kyaukka Creek due to weather conditions and the late hour, leading to the fatalities.

The boat was reportedly carrying over 80 people and a full load of goods. Among the passengers were children returning home after the Thadingyut holiday break, on their way back to school.