This undated photo shows a port in Kota Kinabalu, in the state of Sabah, Malaysia. [Photo/Xinhua]

KOTA KINABALU, Malaysia - Three Chinese tourists on board a boat which sank off Malaysia's Sabah state on North Borneo were confirmed dead early Monday after being rescued.

Three Chinese tourists have passed away among the 25 people rescued so far, while six people remained missing, said Ahmad Puzi Ab Kahar, Director General of Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency.

The Chinese tourists who were rescued and the bodies of those passed away arrived in Kota Kinabalu early Monday.

Chen Peijie, Chinese Consulate General in Kota Kinabalu, said the surviving Chinese tourists suffered different degrees of injuries and would be sent to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Shahidan Kassim, a minister in the Malaysia's Prime Minister's Department, told a press conference Sunday night that 23 people were rescued by tug boats and fishermen, after the skipper and a crew member were rescued earlier on Sunday.

According to him, the skipper said the boat was broken by strong wave before wrecked in bad weather and rough sea.

The boat went missing on Saturday when travelling from Kota Kinabalu, the state capital, to Pulau Mengalum, a popular tourist island, 60 km west to Kota Kinabalu. A total of 31 people were on board, including 28 tourists from China and three crew members.

Shahidan said Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, maritime police as well as Malaysian navy and airforce have joined the search efforts.