Malaysians boat stranded off Tolitoli, 3 dead

PALU: Eleven Malaysians were found by fishermen in waters off Sulawesi on Sunday.

It was reported the speedboat they were travelling in ran out of fuel, leaving them stranded at sea.

Three men had died before the boat was discovered by fisherman.

M. Ilham, the secretary of North Dampal subdistrict, said the Malaysians had received medical treatments at Ogotua Public Health Center in North Dampal, Tolitoli.

"We will probably bury the remains of the dead here *in North Dampal*, too," Ilham said.

The boat had departed from Lahar Batu, Malaysia, eight days ago and was heading to the Philippines. "The speedboat was filled to over capacity. There should only have been six people onboard," he said. - JP