Rescuers have launched a search for 40 Indonesians who went missing after their boat sank off Malaysia’s coast two days ago

Rescuers have launched a search for 40 Indonesians who went missing after their boat sank off Malaysia’s coast two days ago.

According to Amran Daud, an official with the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), several ships, speed-boats and helicopters have been deployed to the sea off the southern Johor state to search for the missing.

The boat that was reportedly carrying 44 passengers, including women and children, sank on Thursday night about three hours into its journey from Tanjung Sedili on Johor state’s east coast to Indonesia’s Batam Island.

Passing fishermen saved three of the survivors while another was rescued by the authorities.

“Only four of those on board were rescued by fishermen and MMEA after floating 15 hours in the sea,” Amran said.

“The condition of the boat was believed to be questionable,” Amran added, noting that authorities in Malaysia have conducted an investigation into the cause of the incident.

Another maritime official, Hairi Nizam, also said none of those who were saved had life jackets on. They were transported to hospital for treatment.

Malaysia has faced many boating accidents since thousands of people from poorer regional countries such as Indonesia and Myanmar travel in rickety boats in an effort to work illegally in the relatively wealthy Southeast Asian country.

In July, Malaysian officials said they were increasing patrols to stop illegal immigrants from making the sea voyage across the waterway that separates the country from Indonesia.

An Indonesian woman lost her life and seven people went missing after their boat capsized in mid-July also off Johor state due to an engine failure.