IPOH: Another body of a victim from the boat carrying Indonesian illegal immigrants that sank in the waters off Pulau Pangkor was found Thursday (May 14) evening, bringing the death toll so far to nine.
The Perak branch of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), in a statement, said Navy asset KD Sri Indera Sakti discovered the male victim’s body.
"The ninth body was found at a position 4.5 nautical miles southwest of Pulau Pangkor at about 5.31pm on Thursday.
"The body was later handed over to the Navy’s Fast Combat Boat (FCB) 1002 at 6.25 pm for further action,” the statement said.
The statement added that the fourth day of the search and rescue (SAR) operation continued with efforts focused on the area where victims’ bodies were found on the second day of the operation.
"The search for victims on the fourth day focused on seven sectors covering 219.01 square nautical miles.
"The operation, which began at 7am on Thursday, involved air and sea assets from the MMEA, Navy and the Marine Police,” it said.
In the incident early last Monday (May 10) morning, a boat believed to be carrying 37 Indonesian illegal immigrants capsized in the waters off Pulau Pangkor while en route to Malaysia.
So far, 23 victims have been rescued while efforts to locate the remaining five missing victims will continue on Friday (May 15). — Bernama
