Disasters & Accidents

Malaysia boat capsize death toll climbs to 16

Bangkok Desk, Dec 16 (EFE).- Malaysian authorities on Thursday recovered five bodies, believed to be from a boat that capsized off the southeastern coast of the country a day earlier, bringing the death toll to 16.

The bodies of five people were found 500 meters to 2.5 kilometers from the scene on Thursday morning, Johor Fire and Rescue Department told state news agency Bernama.

The boat, which was carrying dozens of people, capsized Wednesday morning, following which search and rescue operations were activated off the coast of Tanjung Balau.

Eleven bodies were recovered on Wednesday.

Fourteen people were rescued and 25 more were missing, Bernama said Thursday.

Johor Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency director Nurul Hizam Zakaria said on Wednesday that the victims were believed to have entered Malaysian waters illegally from Indonesia. EFE

nc/pd/tw

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