Thirty-one people have been rescued from a boat that capsized at the west Malaysian sea in the early morning of June 18, while the rest 66 others remain missing.

According to local media, a search and rescue team from the Banting Fire and Rescue Department arrived at the site right after receiving an emergency call at about 0:24 (local time) in the morning of June 18.

Zuhi, a Malaysian maritime official, said the wooden boat was carrying illegal immigrants from Indonesia , including women and children.

Search activities are underway.-VNA