Photos Show The Hardship That Awaits Migrants Who Reach South Asia's Shores

At least 1,600 Bangladeshi and Rohingya migrants have washed ashore in Malaysia and Indonesia over the weekend after being abandoned by smugglers at sea. Officials and activists warned on Monday that more than 6,000 others are believed to be trapped at sea after being left behind in similar circumstances.

The tragedy this weekend comes after a recent crackdown by Thai authorities on trafficking networks. Rights groups have warned that the crackdown has prompted many smugglers to abandon their vessels before reaching the coast to avoid prosecution.

Many of the migrants are from the Rohingya minority in Myanmar, whose Muslim members have faced severe discrimination by the Buddhist majority in the country. Others are Bangladeshis fleeing poverty and strife in their home country.

In a series of photographs taken on Monday in Malaysia, photographer Manan Vatsayana documented the hardships some of the migrants were confronted with upon their arrival. No longer in danger at sea, they face arrest and detention by authorities grappling to deal with the growing stream of refugees headed their way.