Another boat carrying 230 passengers is still missing. Malaysia's maritime authority expects the operation, involving sea surface and aerial searches, to last seven days. At least one of the bodies recovered was of a child, authorities said. Of the 13 rescued, 11 are Rohingyas and two are Bangladeshis.

The UN has warned that Southeast Asia risks “another humanitarian disaster” if sea crossings by desperate refugees continue unchecked.

Malaysia's foreign minister will visit Myanmar on Thursday for talks with the ruling junta on its upcoming election and will push for progress on a stalled peace process,