14 missing, 23 rescued after migrant boat sinks off Malaysia

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Kuala Lumpur: A search and rescue operation is underway off Malaysia’s west coast after a boat carrying 37 undocumented migrants sank near Pangkor Island. Local maritime authorities confirmed that 23 people have been rescued so far, but 14 individuals remain missing at sea.

The vessel reportedly departed from Kisaran, Indonesia, on May 9, bound for various destinations across Malaysia, including Kuala Lumpur and Penang. The alarm was raised early Monday by a local fisherman who discovered survivors floating in the water.

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has deployed helicopters, surveillance aircraft, and boats to locate the remaining passengers. While Malaysia is a common destination for migrants seeking work, these crossings often organized by trafficking syndicates remain incredibly hazardous.