30 Indonesian migrants missing in boat accident

(Vatican Radio) More than 30 people remain missing after a boat carrying Indonesian migrants sank off the coast of Malaysia. Survivors were drifting for almost a whole day before they could raise the alarm, as Alastair Wanklyn reports. The boat was reportedly carrying at least 40 people. It set off from southern Malaysia on Thursday, and sank in heavy seas that night.

The following afternoon, local fishermen found three survivors clinging to a drum, and they called for help. Malaysia's state news agency quoted police saying coastguard officers recovered other survivors, but that a large number of those aboard remain missing.

The victims are described as Indonesians who had been living and working illegally in Malaysia. At their nearest, the two nations are only about 20 kilometres apart, which means migrants often travel back and forth undetected on fishing boats.

In this case, the victims were said to have been going home to Indonesia to celebrate the Muslim holiday of Eid. Women and children are reported to be among those missing.

Officials said continuing rough weather meant the Malaysian coast guard and military had to call off the search for survivors, but that patrols would recommence when the wind dies down.

Listen to Alastair Wanklyn’s full report: