10 dead after boat carrying undocumented migrants capsizes off Johor

Ten undocumented migrants were found dead while 21 others were rescued after their boat capsized, believed due to bad weather, in Tanjung Balau near Kota Tinggi early this morning.

Johor Maritime director First Admiral Nurul Hizam Zakaria said the incident was reported at 4.30am and that a search and rescue operation (SAR) was ongoing for the remaining passengers.

“Based on preliminary information, about 60 illegal immigrants were in the boat. Ten bodies have been found by the Malaysian army,” he said in a statement today.

He said the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency had activated the SAR operation at 8.50am and mobilised several of its assets – the AW 139 Agusta aircraft, KM Tegas vessel and Petir 50 boat.

The Johor Bahru Maritime Rescue Sub Centre received a report about the incident from the Bandar Penawar Fire and Rescue Station, which received information on the discovery of the boat from the Tanjung Sepang Tactical Headquarters, he said.