Tg Balau boat capsize: Body of 11th victim found

Personnel, part of the search and rescue operation, tending to the body of the 11th victim who drowned in a boat capsize incident at Tanjung Balau in Kota Tinggi on Wednesday, Dec 15, 2021.

KOTA TINGGI: The body of the 11th victim has been found by the search and rescue operation deployed after a boat ferrying 50 immigrants from Indonesia capsized in Tanjung Balau here.

Johor Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency deputy director (operations) Maritime Captain Simon Templer Lo Ak Tusa said the latest body found was at 10.32am following the incident that took place at around 4.30am on Wednesday (Dec 15).

He said the latest victim brought the tally of those who drowned in the boat capsize to seven men and four women.

Johor Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency deputy director (operations) Maritime Captain Simon Templer Lo Ak Tusa (second from right) holding a press conference near the site in Tanjung Balau, Kota Tingi on Wednesday, Dec 15, 2021.

“The 13.4m boat with the immigrants tried to enter Malaysia illegally when it capsized due to strong wind and heavy current. The men and women each paid around RM2,000 to RM3,000 to be brought into the country through illegal routes," he said.

“So far, we have rescued 12 men and two women while 25 others were feared to have drowned,” added Capt. Simon at a press conference here.

He added that the search and rescue operation, involving the Navy and the Fire and Rescue Department is still ongoing to look for the remaining victims.