On the fourth day after the sinking of an Indonesian illegal immigrant boat in the waters off Pangkor Island, search and rescue teams discovered another male victim on Thursday night (May 14), bringing the death toll to 10.
The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency said in a statement that at around 7:40pm on Thursday (14th), search teams found the body of a man, believed to be a victim of the incident, about 3.6 nautical miles northeast of the sinking site.
The agency added that the body, discovered by a local fishing boat, was later handed over to Water Police PSC 16 patrol boat, which transported it to Kampung Acheh jetty at about 9:35pm.
The fifth day of the search and rescue (SAR) operation resumed at 7am on Friday (May 15), now focusing on the 4 illegal immigrants still missing.
The sinking occurred on Monday (May 11) evening, when 37 Indonesians believed to be illegally entering Malaysia capsized about 8.2 nautical miles off Pangkor Island. Twenty-three people were rescued on the spot, while 14 went missing. Since the launch of the SAR operation, more victims' bodies have been found.
According to preliminary investigations, this group of illegal immigrants is believed to have departed from Kisaran, Indonesia, on May 9, intending to smuggle into Malaysia with destinations including Penang, Terengganu, Selangor, and Kuala Lumpur. The boat was reportedly operated by a Myanmar crew member.
Timeline of Indonesian Illegal Immigrant Shipwreck Victims Found
May 12
2:00pm: Near Pantai Segari waters, 2 police patrol boats successively discovered the 1st body (male), 2nd body (female), 3rd body (female), and 4th body (female)
May 12
2:00pm: Near Pantai Segari waters, 2 police patrol boats successively discovered the 1st body (male), 2nd body (female), 3rd body (female), and 4th body (female)
Around 6:00pm: A Malaysian Royal Navy ship discovered the 5th (female), 6th (female), and 7th (female) bodies about 20 nautical miles from the incident area
May 14
12:00pm: Water Police patrol boat recovered the 8th body (male), 4.8 nautical miles east of the sinking area
5:31pm: The 9th body (male) was found 4.5 nautical miles southwest of Pangkor Island
About 7:40pm: The 10th body (male) was recovered 3.6 nautical miles northeast of the sinking site
12:00pm: Water Police patrol boat recovered the 8th body (male), 4.8 nautical miles east of the sinking area
5:31pm: The 9th body (male) was found 4.5 nautical miles southwest of Pangkor Island
About 7:40pm: The 10th body (male) was recovered 3.6 nautical miles northeast of the sinking site