LANGKAWI BOAT CAPSIZE: DEATH TOLL RISES TO 20, FOURTEEN SURVIVORS RESCUED

ALOR SETAR, Nov 11 (Bernama) -- The death toll from the boat capsize in the Malaysia-Thailand border waters has risen to 20, following the recovery of four more bodies this afternoon.

The Kedah and Perlis director of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), First Admiral Maritime Romli Mustafa, said fourteen survivors have been located to date, including one rescued on the coast of Tanjung Chincin today.

He said the first of the four bodies, a woman, was found near Pulau Intan Kecil, following a report from a member of the public to the Maritime Rescue Sub Centre.

“Then at 1.41 pm, the Malaysian Marine Department reported a male body washed ashore west of Tanjung Belua.

“Several minutes later, the KM SIANGIN detected a second male body 1.6 nautical miles offshore. The final recovery of the day in that area was at 4.13 pm, when the Royal Malaysian Navy located a third male body one nautical mile from the coast," he said in a statement today.

The operation entered its third day today, and as of 5.30 pm has recorded 14 survivors, comprising 12 men and two women. The 20 deceased consist of seven men, nine women, two boys, and two girls.

He added that the search operation is continuing with multi-agency assets, concentrating on zones where currents and weather patterns are projected to carry victims towards the shore.

He urged members of the public who locate any victims to contact the Malaysia Maritime Operation Centre for Kedah and Perlis at 04-966 2750 or the MERS 999 emergency line. 

Today's operation was concluded at 7.30 pm and will resume tomorrow morning.

-- BERNAMA