Boat believed to be ferrying 100 immigrants sinks in Straits of Malacca

KLANG: At least 14 people were killed when a small wooden boat carrying about 70 foreigners, capsized in waters off the coast of Hutan Melintang, Perak, today.
"Local fishermen have so far rescued 15 survivors and have found 14 bodies," said Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Enforcement chief First Admiral Mohd Aliyas Hamdan.
However, the fishermen believe there may have been as many as 100 people on the ill-fated boat, Mohd Aliyas said.
He said the department launched a search and rescue operation upon receiving a distress call from local fishermen who were passing by the area at 10.37am.
About 200 MMEA personnel in eight vessels and a helicopter are involved in the SAR operation being carried out within five nautical miles of where the boat sank.
Speaking at press conference at the MMEA Klang district headquarters yesterday, Mohd Aliyas said the boat was believed to have capsized either because it was overloaded or due to poor weather conditions.
The boat is believed to have been heading from Hutan Melintang to Tanjung Balai, Indonesia.
"We believe the occupants were illegal immigrants who wanted to return to their country to celebrate Hari Raya Aidiladha.
"Checks revealed that the height of the waves during the incident was between 0.5m to 1m," said Mohd Aliyas.
The boat which sank was about 12m to 16m in length and could accommodate a maximum 70 people.
The bodies that have been recovered were sent to Hospital Teluk Intan for post mortem.
Meanwhile, the rescued victims will be questioned at the Hutan Melintang police station.