Trio sought for boat capsize

SUNGAI BULOH: Three foreigners, believed to be part of a human trafficking syndicate, are being sought by police for transporting 25 Afghan and Iranian illegal immigrants off Kuala Sedili in Johor early Wednesday.

The boat they were on was heading towards Batam, Indonesia when it capsized in choppy waters at about 6.30am.

Eight were confirmed drowned while 12 others have been rescued.

The immigrants, aged between 20 and 30, were believed to be trying to sneak into Australia.

Deputy-Inspector General of Police Datuk Seri Khalid Abu Bakar said police believe the trio to be Thais, the boat crew that had coordinated the smuggling activity.

“They were on board when the incident occured and we believe they survived and had gone into hiding somewhere in Kuala Sedili town,” said Khalid.