The boat, carrying mainly Chinese nationals, sunk in rough seas off the coast of Sabah.
In a press conference on Sunday, the Malaysian Prime Minister’s Department said tug boats and fishermen had rescued 23 people, according to Xinhua.
According to the Director General of Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, Ahmad Puzi Ab Kaha, of the 23 people rescued, three later died, says Xinhua.
The cause of death was not immediately clear.
At least 31 people, including 28 Chinese tourists, were on the catamaran headed to an island popular with tourists on Saturday.
