Two die as boat capsizes in Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur, July 15 (IANS) At least two people were killed and 19 went missing Tuesday when a boat carrying 80 illegal immigrant capsized in Malaysia, authorities said.

According to officials, the boat collided with a Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) vessel in Malaysia's southernmost Tanjung Piai cape, the Malaysian Star reported.

The MMEA was in the midst of conducting an operation to nab illegal immigrants when the incident occurred around 1.30 a.m., the officials said.

The boat was ferrying the illegal immigrants to Indonesia.

The two victims, a man and a woman, were among 61 people pulled out of the water by the rescuers.

MMEA has launched a search-and-rescue mission to locate the missing passengers.