PANGKOR, Nov 28 — A boat helper suffered broken ribs while a school girl lost consciousness when the boat they were travelling in capsized here.

Pangkor Fire and Rescue Department chief Suhaimi Nijar said the duo were part of 17 people on a boat that turned turtle as it was approaching Pasir Bogak here.

"The group had just returned from a snorkelling expedition at Pulau Giam when the incident happened,” he said.

Suhaimi said the department had received a distress call at 5.31pm.

"When we arrived, all the victims had been rescued by beach boys,” he added.

The victims were part of 59 people on a snorkelling trip, he said.

"They had returned in four different boats,” he added.

After being given initial treatment at the scene, all 17 victims were sent to Manjung Hospital for observation.

Rescue operations were called off at 7.08pm.