KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 27, 2022 (BSS/AFP) - Eighteen people missing at sea near
the Malaysian holiday island of Langkawi were rescued, officials said Sunday,
after their boat capsized due to bad weather.

   The coast guard said the 18 were picked up by fishermen late Saturday
after their boat vanishing earlier that afternoon had triggered a search.

   Senior coast guard official Mohamad Zawawi Abdullah said a combined effort
by authorities and local fishermen saw the victims safely rescued after their
boat capsized due to strong waves.

   "A fishing vessel came and rescued them. They found them in the area
(where they were lost)," he told AFP.

   He said two of the rescued suffered injuries but were otherwise safe, with
all handed over to authorities.

   Small boats can sometimes find themselves in danger on Malaysia's western
coast because of strong waves and bad weather.

   Malaysia's meteorological department warned over the weekend of heavy and
continuous rain in the country's northern states.