Boat capsize: Have the passengers drowned or have they escaped?
Astro Awani
June 18, 2014 00:03 MYT
June 18, 2014 00:03 MYT
The search and rescue operation which took place on Wednesday
The search and rescue (SAR) operation for the remaining Indonesian passengers of the boat which capsized near Banting early Wednesday morning, will continue on Thursday. The operation will be joined by the Johor Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA).
Authorities are not dismissing the possibility of the remaining victims hiding in fear of legal actions which may be taken against them.
“The location of the area where the incident took place is about 200 to 300 metres. There may be victims who have escaped in fear of legal actions which may be taken against them. The location where the boat capsized is very near the land,” said Mohammed Hambali Yaakup, Klang MMEA Operation Director.
The tragedy took place soon after midnight on Tuesday off the western coast of Selangor, near Sungai Air Hitam, Banting. Many of the victims are believed not to own legal travel documents or have misused their documents and overstayed their visit to the country.
Nine bodies were recovered as of 9pm on Wednesday.
The victims which include seven men and two women were sent to the Tanku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital in Klang for post-mortem. Authorities believe more bodies will be discovered as victims who float in the sea without life jackets can only last for 24 hours.
A total of 62 people survived the incident including one who is currently detained by the police for attempting to escape.
According to Mohd Hambali, the victims who escaped did not posses valid travel documents and can be charged under the Immigration Act. The skipper of the boat can be charged under the same Act and the Anti-Human Trafficking Act.
Preliminary investigation found that the boat was on its way to Acheh. The cause if the incident is still under investigation but authorities believe that the boat may have sunk due to overload or after hitting a sandbarge.