src="/files/fa/news/es/Thumbnails/2e22110d-752e-40dd-bf59-80973ab93fe1_260_199.jpg' class='img_convert' title='Boat Carrying Tourists Sinks off Malaysia ' alt='Boat Carrying Tourists Sinks off Malaysia '>
According to MANA, the boat left Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Malaysia's eastern Sabah state, at about 9 a.m. (0100 GMT) on Saturday bound for the popular tourist spot of Mengalum island, Malaysian officials said.
Bad weather was hampering the search effort, which covers an area of about 400 nautical square miles.
"We are looking at strong winds and choppy waters," he said.