Passengers paid RM700 for trip

Lucky to be alive: Some of the survivors who were plucked from the sea by passing fiishermen being brought to the Hutan Melintang jetty.— Bernama

SABAK BERNAM: The passengers aboard the boat that capsized had each paid RM700 to a syndicate for a one-way ticket home to Indonesia to celebrate the coming Hari Raya Haji.

Bad weather and stormy seas struck the vessel and many drowned while many more are still missing. Some were rescued after hours in the water.