A barge carrying sand from Teluk Ramunia, Pengerang off Kota Tinggi near here sank after being hit by strong waves early today.

Fourteen crew are still missing while one had been rescued.

Tanjung Sedili maritime enforcement chief, Maritime Capt Amran Daud said the incident happened around 4.20am while the vessel was heading to Pengerang near here.

He said the vessel overturned and sank about 8.6 nautical miles off Timur Tanjung Punggai.

"The crew comprising Chinese nationals and one local fell into the sea. One has been rescued while 14 more are still missing," he said in a statement here, today.

Tanjung Punggai
The vessel overturned and sank about 8.6 nautical miles off Timur Tanjung Punggai. - Photo by Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA)

At Press time, search and rescue efforts are ongoing, with one ship and three boats from the Tanjung Sedili Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) dispatched to the scene.

An MMEA plane is also being used in the operation in which the Marine Operations Force is also involved.