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Indonesians missing after boat sinks | Indonesians missing after boat sinks |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Dozens of Indonesian migrants workers remain missing after a boat capsized in waters off Malaysia. | |
Rescue officials said at least 55 people were rescued and two bodies have been recovered. | |
The wooden vessel sank about midnight (16:00 Tuesday) off Port Klang, near Banting in the Strait of Malacca. | |
The passengers, who include women and children, were illegal migrants, according to a spokesperson for the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency. | |
One rescue boat has gone to the area and two more are being deployed. | |
Authorities also said five sea vessels and a helicopter were searching for survivors. | |
"We plucked some of the survivors from the sea and others were found on land," said Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency spokesman Mohamad Hambali Yaakup. | |
Conflicting reports have emerged about the destination of the boat. | Conflicting reports have emerged about the destination of the boat. |
Maritime officials had initially said the passengers were believed to be trying to enter Malaysia. | |
Other officials said those on board were working in Malaysia illegally and were trying to return home for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. | |
"From interviews with those rescued, they said they were returning to Aceh," said Mr Hambali, adding those who were rescued did not have any travel documents. | |
Another maritime official Muhammad Zuri told Reuters news agency that it was "an illegal boat" that was not authorised for ocean voyages. | |
Thousands of Indonesians work illegally in plantations and other industries in Malaysia. They often risk dangerous sea journeys to return home. |