[People search Tanjung Balau beach after a boat carrying migrants capsized, killing at least 10 people and 29 remain missing, in Kota Tinggi, Johor, Malaysia, Dec 15, 2021. (File photo by=Royal Malaysian Army/handout via Reuters)]

KUALA LUMPUR: At least 11 Indonesian migrants have died, and more are believed to be missing after a boat capsized on Wednesday (Dec 15) in stormy weather off Johor, authorities said, news agencies reported.
The boat reportedly carried 50 illegal immigrants from Lombok, Indonesia, Bernama reported. 

Another 14 people on the boat were saved, with 25 more missings. The survivors were found on the Tanjung Balau beach and were taken to Tanjung Sepang Malaysian Armed Forces post in Kota Tinggi. Malaysian authorities are still conducting search and rescue operations. Soldiers on patrol discovered the bodies of seven men and four women on the shore; coastguard chief Admiral Mohamad Zubil Mat Som told AFP. The Malaysian Third Infantry Division Command, Terendak Camp, Melaka, said the reported incident was around 4.30 am. The boat was found in an overturned position and buffeted by waves about 20m from the beach.

Those missing are believed to have fled into hiding or drowned, and authorities have deployed boats and an aircraft to hunt for them. Johor Maritime Operations deputy director Captain (Maritime) Simon Templer Lo Tusa said search and rescue operations would likely take four to 10 days, depending on prevailing conditions. He also told CNA that rescuers would continue to try their best to locate missing those.