Tasikmalaya, West Java (ANTARA News) - A boat carrying 48 illegal immigrants from Middle Eastern countries and two crew capsized in Pamayan waters in Cipatujah, West Java, on Saturday but none of them died in the incident.

"All of the immigrants and two crew members were rescued and evacuated to shore ," Tasikmalaya resort police chief Adjunct Senior Commissioner Irman Sugema said.

They had been accomodated at the Cipatujah marine police station for data collection before being taken later to the Tasikmalaya resort police station, he said.

Seven of the illegal immigrants from the ill-fated boat had to be treated at a local health care center in Cipatujah due to dehydration and fatigue after swimming in the sea waters for some time, he said.

Several marine police and local fishermen boats were involved in the evacaution efforts.

He said the boat suffered a leakage and engine problems on its way to Australian waters.

"According to information I received the boat had a leakage but luckily we recieved the information quickly and so we could help them," he said.

The Tasikmalaya police resort earlier arrested 49 illegal immigrants caught while on a passenger bus during police operations in Capatujah.

He said the illegal immigrants departed from Ancol in Jakarta in two groups. The one was able to board the boat while the other was caught while on a bus. (*)

Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
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