The bodies of 11 Indonesian nationals have been found while another 14 undocumented migrants on the boat were saved.

The boat was reportedly carrying 50 undocumented migrants from Lombok, Indonesia. Malaysian authorities are still conducting search and rescue operations.

The survivors were found at the beach and taken to the Tanjung Sepang armed forces post in Kota Tinggi.

The boat passengers’ personal effects, including wallets, photos, clothes and bags, were found strewn along Tanjung Balau beach.

The Malaysian Third Infantry division command, Terendak Camp, Melaka, said in a statement that the incident was reported around 4.30am. The boat was found in an overturned position and buffeted by waves around 20 metres from the beach.

“The quick response force and the armed forces drone teams were deployed with the assistance of the navy to locate the remaining undocumented migrants around the area,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) said seven men and four women were found drowned.

Johor maritime operations deputy director Simon Templer Lo Tusa said search and rescue operations will likely take around four to 10 days depending on prevailing conditions.

“Investigations will be conducted to find the syndicate mastermind transporting illegals on the capsized boat,” he said during a media conference at the location of the incident.

In Johor Bahru, checks by Bernama at the Hospital Sultan Ismail Johor Bahru forensics department found that a police lorry carrying the 11 victims arrived at the hospital at around 3.10pm.

The remains were handled by forensics personnel in full personal protection equipment for autopsy.