Indonesian police and fishermen took the passengers from the 200-gt Malaysia Express 1 (built 2001) as it took on water off Pulau Rupat on Thursday, the GoRiau website reported.

The vessel was heading from Port Dickson in Malaysia to Dumai in Indonesia when the leak started.

The ferry remained afloat after the evacuation and was later grounded in shallow water.

It is operated by Tunas Rupat Follow Me Express of Malaysia.