Malaysian marine police detained 25 illegal immigrants from a neighboring country after their boat sank in waters in Langkawi, northern Kedah state on Thursday night, police said on Friday.
The illegals aged between 20 and 55 years were believed to have tried to go back to their country when they were detected.
Based on a tip-off, 14 policemen went to the beaches, Acting Kedah/Perlis marine police commander Rodzi Abu Hassan said at a news conference in Langkawi.
"When they saw my men, a group of more than 20 people ran into the nearby jungle and the rest took to their boat.
"We then spotted the boat heavily laden with the illegals," the national news agency Bernama quoted Rodzi as saying.
As the police patrol boat approached the boat it sank after being hit by powerful waves, he said.
The 25 illegals were then saved while eight others were missing and efforts were going on to find them with help from the Maritime Enforcement Agency, Rodzi said.
Police were also hunting those who ran into the jungle, he said.
Source: Xinhua
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