KUALA LUMPUR: Two more bodies washed ashore in Malaysia Tuesday after the sinking of a boat overloaded with illegal Indonesian immigrants, raising the death toll to 12 with about 25 still feared missing. The boat was believed to be carrying about 40 Indonesian illegal immigrants when it capsized in rough seas off Mersing. The 27-foot (nine meter) boat, designed for only 15 people, was traveling from Indonesia’s Batam Island to Malaysia, Saiful said. Indonesian illegal migrants often make the perilous journey in small rickety boats to Malaysia in search of work, mainly in construction and agriculture. Last November a speedboat believed to be carrying illegal Indonesian migrant workers returning from Malaysia sank near Batam.

Source: Manila Times January 24, 2017 08:48 UTC