13 illegal Indonesians drown in boat mishap off Johor

Bodies of 13 people, nine women and four men, were found washed up on the shore of Pantai Tanjung Kelisa near Bandar Penawar, here, at 8.40 this morning.

The victims are believed to be Indonesians said to be on their way back to their country on a boat ride before it capsized drowning the passengers on board.

Kota Tinggi district police chief, Superintendent Rahmat Othman said strong winds and high waves may have caused the boat to overturn.

The victims are believed to be Indonesians said to be on their way back to their country on a boat ride before it capsized drowning the passengers on board.

Rahmat said that the bodies were found by a worker who later made a police report together with his employer.

He added that the police immediately launched a search-and-rescue operation after they were notified of the incident.

The bodies were sent to the Sultan Ismail Hospital for post-mortem.