Langkawi: The bodies of 12 victims from the recent boat capsize incident near the Malaysia-Thailand border have been transported to Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital (HSB) in Alor Setar for post-mortem examinations.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Langkawi district police chief ACP Khairul Azhar Nuruddin confirmed that the deceased include 10 men, a boy, and a girl. Twelve bodies were initially sent to HSB on Tuesday, followed by four more yesterday at 3 pm. While autopsies for the previously sent bodies have been completed, examinations for the 12 newly arrived are scheduled for today and tomorrow.

Khairul Azhar stated that with all the bodies now at HSB, there are no remaining victims from this tragedy at Sultanah Maliha Hospital (HSM). He further mentioned that a meeting with state Islamic religious authorities is planned for tomorrow to discuss the subsequent arrangements, including burial plans for the deceased.

The 14 survivors of the incident remain in police custody as investigations continue. Earlier, 12 bodies were transported from HSM in a police truck to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Bukit Malut Jetty and then transferred by a Marine Police Force boat to Kuala Perlis before reaching HSB.

The incident has resulted in 28 confirmed fatalities, believed to be of the Rohingya ethnic group, with 14 rescued after the boat, carrying an estimated 70 illegal immigrants, capsized near the Malaysia-Thailand border.