Malaysian authorities say 34 Muslim Rohingya women and children were found stranded along a beach in the country's northernmost state, and are believed to have been dropped off by human traffickers.

A police official in Kangar, the capital of northern Perlis state, says villagers found the Rohingya, including nine children, weak, hungry and covered in mud after walking through the muddy coast early Friday.

The official, who declined to be identified because of the sensitivity of the issue, says the group was believed to have come from Thailand. He said they have been fed and handed over to immigration officials.

Nur Aziah Mohamad Shariff, an official with the National Security Council, says it is aware of the illegal entry and an investigation is underway.