BOAT CAPSIZE TRAGEDY: POST-MORTEM ON NINE BODIES COMPLETED - POLICE

ALOR SETAR, Nov 13 (Bernama) -- The post-mortem process on nine of the 26 victims who died when a boat capsized in waters off the Malaysia-Thailand border has been completed.

Kedah police chief Datuk Adzli Abu Shah said a total of 12 bodies had been sent to the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital (HSB), with post-mortem examinations on nine of them already completed, while the remaining 14 bodies were still at the Sultanah Maliha Hospital in Langkawi.

“The first transfer to HSB involved one body on the first day of the operation (Sunday), while the second transfer on Tuesday involved 11 bodies.

“All the bodies are still at the hospital and have not been handed over to any party. The bodies still in Langkawi will also be taken to Alor Setar for post-mortem examinations,” he said when contacted by Bernama today.

He added that, for now, none of the bodies has been buried yet.

“We have informed the embassies, but have yet to receive a response. Therefore, we will hold discussions with the religious department regarding the burial arrangements,” he said.

A search and rescue operation (SAR) was launched following an incident in which one of three boats believed to be carrying about 300 migrants of various nationalities capsized near Tarutao Island, in waters close to the Malaysia-Thailand border on Nov 6.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), in a statement today, said the SAR operation, which entered its fifth day, resumed at 7.30 am, covering an area of 260.15 square nautical miles divided into 12 search sectors.

“A total of 12 assets from various agencies, including the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN), Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) and the Civil Defence Force (APM), have been mobilised,” it said.

It added that the current wind speed was between 40 and 50 kilometres per hour (km/h), with wave heights ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 metres (m).

-- BERNAMA