MMEA expands Pulau Pangkor boat capsize search to 343 nautical square miles as seven still missing

LUMUT, May 13 — On day three of the operation, authorities expanded the search radius to 343 nautical square miles for seven Indonesian undocumented migrants still missing after a boat capsized off Pulau Pangkor. 

State Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) director, Maritime Capt Mohamad Shukri Khotob, said the expanded area focuses on potential zones identified from earlier recoveries.

“Today’s search focuses north of Pulau Pangkor, based on evidence that victims drifted there. As of 2.30pm on day three, no bodies have been found.

But MMEA Perak, the Marine Police Force and Royal Malaysian Navy continue to intensify searches in designated sectors,” he told reporters at the Kampung Acheh Marine Police Jetty today.

Mohamad Shukri said sea currents pose a major challenge, potentially carrying victims far from where the boat capsized, adding that today’s search would continue until 7pm and resume tomorrow.

“Tomorrow’s operation will run from 7am to 7pm with the same assets, though we may expand the search area as needed,” he said.

To date, 30 victims have been located: 23 rescued alive and seven found dead over the three-day operation.

Yesterday, Perak MMEA reported rescuing 23 Indonesian migrants after their boat capsized off Pulau Pangkor near Lumut, on Monday.

The boat is believed to have been carrying 37 undocumented Indonesian migrants and was operated by a Myanmar crew.

It departed Kisaran, Indonesia, on May 9 for Malaysia, believed to be heading to Penang, Terengganu, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur. — Bernama