Pangkor migrant boat sinking: Authorities now believe 39 were onboard, raising fears more may still be missing

“IPOH, May 16 — Four more bodies were found today from the incident involving a boat carrying Indonesian migrants that capsized in the waters off Pulau Pangkor, bringing the death toll to 16 so far. Perak Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) director Maritime Captain Mohamad Shukri Khotob said three of the victims found were men and were discovered about 2.5 nautical miles southwest of Pulau Buloh, while another body, whose identity has yet to be confirmed, was found about 21.4 nautical miles southwest of Pulau Sangga Kechil. “The unidentified body was found by the MMEA through Perkasa 1238 at about 3 pm today. “Meanwhile, the other three victims were found by the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) at about 5.45 pm,” he said when contacted by Bernama yesterday. Mohamad Shukri said a total of 23 victims had been rescued while 16 were confirmed dead, bringing the total number involved to 39 so far, compared with 37 reported previously. Meanwhile, he said the search and rescue (SAR) operation would continue today from 7 am to locate the possibility of more victims from the tragic incident. “Tomorrow marks the seventh day of the SAR operation, and if no more bodies are found, the operation may be called off,” he said yesterday. In the May 11 incident, a boat believed to be carrying Indonesian migrants was reported to have sunk about 8.2 nautical miles from Pulau Pangkor while en route to several destinations in Malaysia. — Bernama

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