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Malaysia finds 'migrant' mass graves near Thai border Malaysia finds 'migrant' mass graves near Thai border
(8 days later)
Several mass graves thought to contain bodies of migrants have been found in Malaysia, authorities say.Several mass graves thought to contain bodies of migrants have been found in Malaysia, authorities say.
Home Minister Zahid Hamidi was quoted by Malayia's Star newspaper as saying the graves were found in 17 abandoned trafficking camps near the Thai border.Home Minister Zahid Hamidi was quoted by Malayia's Star newspaper as saying the graves were found in 17 abandoned trafficking camps near the Thai border.
He did not know how many bodies had been recovered.He did not know how many bodies had been recovered.
Several mass graves have been found in Thailand along a route used to smuggle Rohingya Muslims fleeing persecution in Myanmar (also known as Burma).Several mass graves have been found in Thailand along a route used to smuggle Rohingya Muslims fleeing persecution in Myanmar (also known as Burma).
But these would the first discovered in Malaysia. But these would be the first discovered in Malaysia.
Thailand has already launched a crackdown on the trafficking networks.Thailand has already launched a crackdown on the trafficking networks.
An investigation by the BBC's Jonathan Head has found entire communities in Thailand helping the traffickers.An investigation by the BBC's Jonathan Head has found entire communities in Thailand helping the traffickers.
The Thai trafficking networks, he found, bought boatloads of migrants from other smugglers and held them in the jungle until their families paid a ransom. Many migrants are believed to have perished from disease or starvation.The Thai trafficking networks, he found, bought boatloads of migrants from other smugglers and held them in the jungle until their families paid a ransom. Many migrants are believed to have perished from disease or starvation.
Every year thousands of people are trafficked through Thailand and into Malaysia.Every year thousands of people are trafficked through Thailand and into Malaysia.
The latest graves were found near Padang Besar and Wang Kelian in the Malaysian state of Perlis, Malaysian newspaper reports said.The latest graves were found near Padang Besar and Wang Kelian in the Malaysian state of Perlis, Malaysian newspaper reports said.
Utusan Malaysia newspaper cited unnamed sources as saying about 30 mass graves had been found containing "hundreds of skeletons".Utusan Malaysia newspaper cited unnamed sources as saying about 30 mass graves had been found containing "hundreds of skeletons".
The Star said the graves were "believed to contain nearly 100 Rohingya migrants".The Star said the graves were "believed to contain nearly 100 Rohingya migrants".
Thousands of migrants - Rohingyas fleeing persecution in Myanmar and economic migrants from Bangladesh - are stranded in boats in the area.Thousands of migrants - Rohingyas fleeing persecution in Myanmar and economic migrants from Bangladesh - are stranded in boats in the area.
More than 3,000 have landed in neighbouring Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.More than 3,000 have landed in neighbouring Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.
Malaysia and Indonesia have begun searching for migrant boats in the past week.Malaysia and Indonesia have begun searching for migrant boats in the past week.
Myanmar also rescued the first boat two days ago.Myanmar also rescued the first boat two days ago.
Malaysia and Indonesia have agreed to stop towing boats out to sea and will provide temporary shelter to those who have landed.Malaysia and Indonesia have agreed to stop towing boats out to sea and will provide temporary shelter to those who have landed.
Thailand only said it would stop rejecting boats.Thailand only said it would stop rejecting boats.
Asia's migrant crisisAsia's migrant crisis
Why are so many Rohingya stranded at sea?Why are so many Rohingya stranded at sea?
The perilous journey of a migrant boat that made itThe perilous journey of a migrant boat that made it
The Indonesian villagers saving migrantsThe Indonesian villagers saving migrants