A CHANNEL-LIKE depression in the middle of Pantai Tanjung Lompat, Bandar Penawar, is believed to have intensified the pull of the current towards the sea, potentially contributing to the disappearance of four teenagers feared drowned.
Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Tanjung Sedili Zone Operations Officer Lieutenant Commander Mohamed Shafiee Bakar said the beach’s unusual formation could cause stronger currents, particularly as the tide recedes.
He said the curved shape of the shoreline could also cause waves hitting the beach to generate a stronger seaward current.
"At this area, there is believed to be a channel like a drain in the middle of the beach. When waves hit, the pull of the current towards the sea may become stronger.
"This differs from a gently sloping beach, where waves normally break on the shore before the water flows back towards the sea. However, at this location, the shape of the beach could cause the water to be pulled more strongly towards the sea," he said.
Mohamed Shafiee said the hazard might not be immediately apparent to members of the public, particularly those unfamiliar with the beach’s physical formation and current patterns.
He said the combination of the channel-like formation, curved shoreline and changing tidal conditions could create dangerous currents that are difficult for beachgoers to identify.
The four teenagers are feared to have drowned at Pantai Tanjung Lompat, with search and rescue operations continuing in the area. - September 4, 2026
