KOTA TINGGI: The radius of the search and rescue operation effort for victims of a boat capsize incident here has been expanded to cover a total of 182.5 nautical miles square from Tanjung Balau to Sungai Renggit.

       “This operation has continued on to the fourth day with two aircraft from MMEA (Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency) and the police for aerial search as well as four assets from MMEA, marine police and the navy for sea operation,” said Johor MMEA deputy director (operations) Maritime Capt Simon Templer Lo Tusa.

       “The number of victims believed to still be missing remains at 16.”

       On Wednesday, 11 bodies of Indonesian nationals were found along Tanjung Balau beach after their boat capsized due to high waves during bad weather.

       Another nine bodies were found in days following the tragedy.

       One of the 14 survivors who was rescued earlier succumbed to injuries and was pronounced dead on Friday.

       At press time, the death toll stood at 21.

       The boat was believed to be carrying at least 50 undocumented migrants from Batam and Lombok, Indonesia.

       Templer said the bad weather had affected the operation at sea with waves as high as between three and five metres, thus causing poor visibility.

       A total of 77 personnel from various agencies are involved in the operation, he added.

       He said the operation radius for its air assets was extended to 76.5 nautical square miles while the radius for sea search was widened to 106.02 nautical square miles.