This file photo shows Malaysian security officials standing next to the dead bodies of Indonesian migrants wrapped in black plastic bags on a beach in Kota Tinggi of Malaysiaâ„¢s Johor state.
At least 21 people are unaccounted for following an accident during which an overloaded boat capsized in a river in Malaysia, officials say.
The incident took place on Tuesday when the ferry, carrying about 100 passengers, hit rocks in Rajang River in the state of Sarawak.
Belaga town’s police chief Bakar Anak Sebau said that he believes Å“there were women and children onboard.”
Å“The boat was overloaded,” he said, noting that the ferry was carrying more people than its recommended limit of 74 passengers.
Abdul Halim Abdullah, the state government’s local administrator for Belaga, also confirmed that, Å“Around 21 people have not been accounted for.”
Police rescuers, fire department officers and villagers have been dispatched to the site of the incident to find the missing people, Bakar said.
Å“We hope they (the missing passengers) will be OK,” he said.
DB/HJL
This article originally appeared on: Press TV