KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysian authorities say at least 14 illegal immigrants have drowned when their boat capsized off the country's southern coast. Ten others have been rescued.
Marine police official N.Kalai Chelvan says the boat was heading to Indonesia's Batam island early Wednesday when it sank in choppy waters. He says the boat was carrying a group of men from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq who were likely trying to reach Australia through Indonesia.
Chelvan said Thursday that five Pakistanis were among the dead and the identities of the other victims have not been established
Malaysia is a known transit point for people from impoverished or war-torn regions trying to get to Australia.
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