JOHOR BAHARU: Seven Indonesian nationals were found drowned while 34 others were rescued when a boat capsized in Pantai Batu Layar, Sungai Rengit, near Kota Tinggi, last night.
Kota Tinggi police chief Supt Rahmat Othman said police received a call from a member of the public who heard cries for help in the waters of Pantai Batu Layar at 9.45 pm.
A search and rescue operation (SAR) involving police, Marine Operations Force (MOF), Fire and Rescue Department as well as several other agencies was immediately mounted, he said.
“As at noon today, seven bodies had been found comprising two men and five women aged between 20 and 40. All the bodies were taken to Kota Tinggi Hospital for further action,” he said in a statement here.
Meanwhile, Pos Sepang Royal Artillery 21 Squad led by Lt Muhammad Aimin Zainuddin detained the 34 illegal immigrants comprising 26 men and eight women.
The illegal immigrants aged between 20 and 50 were rescued and handed over to the Immigration Department.
They were being held at the Home Ministry Complex in Setia Tropika here for further action.
Rahmat said initial investigations found there were about 60 people in the boat.
“The Indonesians were believed to be heading towards Batam when the incident occurred,” he said.
He said the SAR operation which was now focusing on three nautical miles of beaches, would involve about 12 marine police, two policemen from Rengit police station as well as five firemen. – Bernama