Kedah police chief Adzli Abu Shah said the migrants were believed to be part of a larger group of about 300 people.

When they were approaching Malaysian waters three days ago, the syndicate divided them into three smaller boats, each carrying around 90 people.

“A boat carrying 90 people is believed to have capsized, while the other two boats have yet to be located,” he said, according to Harian Metro.

He added that the six people rescued included Myanmar nationals, among them Rohingya, as well as Bangladeshis.

“The body of a Rohingya woman was also found drifting at sea.

“Search and rescue operations are ongoing, with assistance from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and the marine police to locate the remaining victims and the other missing boats,” he said.