KOTA KINABALU, Jan 7 —  Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman is waiting on a report from police on a ferry accident in Semporna last night which saw all 158 passengers rescued.

Musa said that the state will extend help to the victims, some who were believed to be hospitalised following the incident at about 8pm last night.

“It is at the investigation stage now. We will leave it up to the police to investigate. Meanwhile, we will do what we can for the victims,” he said.

Passengers onboard the southern Philippines-based MB Juhairi were rescued as the vessel was sinking after hitting a barge close to the port in Semporna at 8pm yesterday.

Several victims were sent to the Semporna district hospital for medical attention but no casualties were reported.

Semporna police chief Superintendent Peter Umbas said that they believe most victims have been rescued said that the vessel had a leak following the collision.

Initial reports from the Fire and Rescue Services department said that ferry left Bongao island in the Tawi-Tawi region bound for Semporna with both Malaysian and non-Malaysian passengers on board  at about 2pm Wednesday.

It was about 1km from the Semporna coast when it collided with a barge.