ALOR SETAR: Six more bodies of migrants, including a girl, believed to be from a boat carrying about 100 migrants that capsized along the Malaysia-Thai maritime border, were found floating in Langkawi waters on Sunday (Nov 9).
Kedah and Perlis Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) director First Admiral (M) Romli Mustafa said this brings the total number of migrant deaths to seven, with 13 migrants safe, including three found Sunday.
“At 3.11pm, the Langkawi Maritim Rescue Sub Centre (MRSC) received a call about two men floating in the Kuala Muda Teriang area, who were subsequently rescued by local fishing boats.
“At 5pm, the MMEA boat PETIR 81 found the body of a girl, while at 6.01pm a Fisheries Department boat found a man alive and floating at sea.
“Five more bodies of women were found at two separate locations before being handed over to the police for further action,” he said in a statement.
He added that the search and rescue operation, expanded to cover 170 square nautical miles, was suspended at 7pm Sunday and will resume Monday (Nov 10) morning.
The capsized boat was one of three allegedly carrying about 300 migrants, and capsized off Pulau Tarutao. – Bernama
