Death toll from capsized boat now 14, survivors arrive in Tanjung Balai

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Fri, 10/03/2008 1:12 AM | World

The death toll from the wooden barter trade boat carrying Indonesian migrant workers that capsized near Pulau Pintu Gedong off Westport, Malaysia, on Tuesday has risen to 14 after two more bodies were found at about 7.15 pm Thursday, according to a news report.

Quoting a local police, the Star Online (thestar.com.my) reported that two more bodies had floated to the surface; Both the bodies are men believed to be in their mid-30s. One was recovered by the Marine Police while the other was taken out of the sea by Westport rescue department.

Westport Malaysia Sdn Bhd Head of Port Police, Fire and Rescue department senior manager Mejar V. Manisegaran told the news portal that more checks would be carried out around the port limits for possibilities of bodies being pushed in due to the strong current and irregular wave patterns.

On Tuesday the barter trade boat bound for Tanjung Balai in North Sumatra, Indonesia, and believed to be illegally ferrying some 140 people, capsized. At 5.15pm Thursday, 103 Indonesians among those who survived the incident were repatriated to Indonesia.

Immigration enforcement director Ishak Mohamed who was at Wharf 15 at Westport facilitated the repatriation exercise together with Westport staff, the Klang Immigration department and Marine police.

The 103 who were repatriated consisted of 81 men, 21 women and a 14-month-old child. They were sent back to Indonesia on a Sarotama vessel belonging to the Indonesian Sea and Coast Guards.

All were given one-way emergency passports to facilitate their return, he said.

He added that the 103 were allowed to go back on humanitarian grounds that were authorized by the Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar.

Meanwhile, Tempointeraktif.com reported that all the 103 people had arrived at Bagan Asahan port at Tanjung Balai, North Sumatra, on Thursday midnight. They were welcome by Tanjung Balai mayor Soetrisno Hadi and Tanjung Balai Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Mestron Siboro.

Ishak Mohamed added that there were some 22 still at the Indonesian Embassy due to documentation issues and others are still warded at the Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital for observation.

“Our investigations have revealed that those who boarded the barter trade boat were charged RM800 and the irresponsible act was carried out by agents from Medan. We believe the skipper and the other six boat hands were runners. All seven have been remanded for further investigations,” he said. (rid)

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