61 Indonesians missing after boat sinks

A boat carrying 97 Indonesians has sunk off Malaysia, with at least 61 people missing, Malaysian authorities say.

The passengers, who include women and children, were illegal migrants, said a spokesperson for the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency.

The wooden vessel sank about midnight (16:00 Tuesday) off Port Klang, near Banting on the Strait of Malacca, officials said.

One rescue boat has gone to the area, and two more are being deployed.

Muhammad Zuri, a maritime official, told Reuters news agency that it was "an illegal boat" that was not authorised for ocean voyages.

Officials say that those on board were Indonesian, working in Malaysia illegally, who were now trying to return home for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.