Malaysian authorities have completed a nearly week-long search and rescue operation for victims of the tragic sinking of a boat carrying Indonesian migrants in the waters near Pulau Pangkor island last week, media reported Sunday, Anadolu reports.

At least 16 people died and 23 others were rescued after a boat carrying 37 undocumented passengers sank on May 11 near island, state news agency Bernama reported.

Malaysian Perak Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) said the operation ended on Saturday after there were no new discoveries in the search area.

“Initial information received on the first day of the operation indicated that the total number of casualties was 37, however, this figure is believed to be incorrect,” the statement said.

The dead include nine men and seven women, whose bodies were taken to hospitals for autopsies and identification procedures.

The operation was also carried out with the cooperation of security agencies, including the Royal Malaysian Navy, the Maritime Police, as well as fishing communities in the surrounding waters.

The boat, believed to be carrying Indonesian migrants, capsized 8.2 nautical miles off the island of Pulau Pangkor while sailing to several destinations in Malaysia.

Malaysia remains one of the main destinations for undocumented migrants from poorer parts of Asia.

Smuggling networks often use sea routes, according to authorities, repeatedly leading to tragedies at sea.

Thirty-six migrants died when a boat capsized off the Thai-Malaysian coast last November.

Source: prizrenpost