Sabak Bernam boat capsize: 17 more bodies found

Seventeen more bodies were found today following the boat capsize mishap in Sabak Bernam, bringing the total number of deaths to 46.

However, until 11am only two bodies have been brought up to Hutan Melintang pier by the search and rescue (SAR) team.

Hilir Perak district police chief, ACP Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said all victims were discovered within eight nautical miles from where the incident occurred.

Investigations showed that the size of the wooden "pom pom" boat could only accommodate some 10 to 15 passengers, but based on the interrogation of the survivors, the boat was ferrying about 70 passengers.

The 40-foot long boat capsized while on its way from Kuala Sungai Bernam to Tanjong Balai, Indonesia last Thursday.

The mishap occurred about nine nautical miles southwest of Tanjung Sauh.

The SAR team mostly comprised personnel from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, the Royal Malaysian Navy and the Selangor Fire and Rescue Department.