Moses Dacosta, 27, was among 34 illegal Indonesian immigrants who survived the boat tragedy while his wife, Yolanda Serang, 22, was among the first few drowning victims found.

Recalling the anxious moment, Dacosta said they were about 1,000 metres from the shore when the boat’s engine ceased functioning and the boat could no longer withstand the strong waves.

“My wife could not be saved though all the while we were holding on to each other in the boat. This is a nightmare as we only got married a year ago and were planning to celebrate the birth of our first child at home in Kupang (East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia),” he said when met at Setia Tropika (Home Ministry Complex), here today.

Dacosta said some of the passengers were too panic-stricken to cling onto the boat and they were swept away by strong currents.

Another victim, Mohd Yusof,52, said he paid RM1,200 for the trip, thinking that it would be a safe journey, but was disappointed to find the boat unstable as it was overloaded and carrying about 60 passengers.

In KOTA TINGGI, Bandar Penawar Fire and Rescue Department senior operations officer Mohamad Nordin Sidek said a post-mortem confirmed the body found earlier today was that of a seven-month pregnant woman.

“Another body was found about 4pm today,” he said, adding that so far eight bodies have been found.

The search and rescue operation is focused on areas along two kilometres off Batu Layar beach.