KUALA LUMPUR – A boat carrying 60 illegal immigrants capsized following poor weather off the coast of Tg Balau, Johor at 4.30am today.
According to Johor Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) maritime director Nurul Hizam Zakaria, initial findings revealed that 21 of the illegal immigrants were reported safe, while 10 were found dead by personnel from the Armed Forces.
29 victims are still missing.
In a statement, he said that the Maritime Rescue Sub Centre in Johor Baru had received reports of the incident from the Fire and Rescue Department in Penawar.
“The Fire and Rescue Department received its information from the Tg Sepang Tactical Headquarters after the latter found the capsized boat along with the illegal immigrants at a beach in Tanjung Balau,” he said.
Nurul Hizam said MMEA activated Op Carilamat at 8.50am, mobilising assets such as AW139 Agusta aircraft, a KM Tegas vessel, and Petir 50 boats in an attempt to detect and rescue the remaining victims. – The Vibes, December 15, 2021
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