KUCHING – Search and rescue operations are ongoing for the last of the 10 anglers who went missing yesterday.
Nine of them who were feared drowned after their boat reportedly sank in waters off Pulau Satang here yesterday were found safe early this morning with the boat’s skipper known as Baki found floating in the sea at 12.30am.
The rest, anglers Amri Abdullah, Mohd Asri Ibrahim, Muhammad Redzuan Rasul, Zaharudin Yusoff, Mohamad Faris Azizan, Mohd Firdaus Mohd Denan, Mohd Sahrin Sahir and Rais Yahya, were rescued by another group of fishermen in stages between 12.30am and 4am near Pulau Satang Besar.
“All nine victims arrived at the Telaga Air jetty and have safely returned home.
“Search and rescue operations are still ongoing for the remaining missing angler,” said a Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department spokesman.
Today’s search and rescue operation is to locate the last victim – Awang Omar Awang Hamsawi – who is the boat’s first mate.
Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (Sarawak) first admiral Zin Azman Md Yunus told a press conference at the Telaga Air jetty early this morning that search and rescue efforts will continue in the area with the help of other agencies including the Fire and Rescue Department and the Royal Malaysian Police Air Wing Unit.
According to Zin, rough sea conditions are the likely cause for the fishing boat with 10 individuals onboard capsizing and sinking near Pulau Satang Besar, Telaga Air, yesterday.
Zin was quoted by The Borneo Post as saying that the weather alert in the area early yesterday indicated that thunderstorms and waves measuring about 1 to 2m high would occur in the afternoon.
“However, we believe that the weather was fine in the morning when the boat left the Telaga Air jetty with all 10 on board,” said Zin.
He also said the sunken boat has been located some two nautical miles off Pulau Satang and the authorities will leave it to the boat owner to retrieve it.
According to Zin, all of the victims were found floating at sea with their life jackets on. – The Vibes, October 3, 2021
