(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.