Death toll from Malaysia boat tragedy at 19

By Dilan Pamuk

ANKARA (AA) - The death toll rose to 19 on Thursday from a boat tragedy in southern Malaysia with the recovery of eight more bodies, including six men and two women.

Fourteen people have been rescued but 17 are believed to be missing, according to Maritime Captain Simon Templer Lo Tusa from the Johor Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency.

Search and rescue efforts are ongoing for a second day with the participation of 145 personnel and officers through land, sea, and air, said the Malay Mail newspaper.

The tragedy occurred when the boat carrying 50 undocumented asylum seekers capsized after being hit by high waves early Wednesday.

The bodies of 11 migrants were found along Tanjung Balau beach in the Kota Tinggi district of Johor province.

The migrants set out from Batam province and Lombok island and were en route to Malaysia.