Boat allegedly carrying illegal immigrants capsizes off Johor, 10 dead & 29 missing

21 people have been rescued.

Syahindah Ishak | December 15, 2021, 06:15 PM

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A boat suspected to be carrying illegal immigrants has capsized off southern Johor on Wednesday (Dec. 15) morning.

10 dead and 29 missing

A total of 10 people were found dead, while 29 are currently missing, according to Reuters.

Another 21 people were reported safe among the estimated 60 people on the boat.

The boat was believed to have capsized due to bad weather.

Search and rescue operation launched

In a statement by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), as reported by Yahoo Malaysia, the boat ran into difficulties in the waters off Tanjung Balau at 4:30am on Dec. 15.

MMEA launched a search-and-rescue (SAR) operation at 8:50am after receiving information.

An AW 139 Agusta aircraft, a KM Tegas patrol boat and a Petir 50 boat were dispatched to track down and locate the remaining victims.

It is unclear if the boat had been entering or leaving Malaysian waters.

Top image courtesy of Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency via Bernama's Twitter page.