The search had covered an area of 1,745 nautical square miles, Bernama reported.

Kedah and Perlis maritime deputy director (operations) Zainudin Zuki said the operation ended at 6.30pm.

Zainudin said they had found no new leads and had factored in weather and other risks before ending the search.

He said the operation was activated on Nov 9 after the Langkawi Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre received a report on the discovery of the first victim in Langkawi waters the day before.

As of noon today, 43 victims have been found, comprising 14 survivors (12 men and two women) and 29 deceased (15 men, nine women, two boys and three girls).

The victims were found around Pulau Singa Besar, Pulau Rebak Besar, Teluk Apau, west of Tanjung Belua and Pulau Anak Datai.

More than 300 personnel and 22 boats were deployed during the nine-day operation.

Survivors of the incident claimed they were gathered at five locations between Baitadung and Teknaf, near the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, to board a vessel operated by a syndicate.

They were transferred to two smaller boats upon reaching the waters near the Malaysia-Thailand border and continued their journey without the syndicate members.