KUCHING – The five anglers who went missing last Sunday are still missing as the search and rescue (SAR) operations enter its sixth day today.
The five failed to return after heading out to sea to fish in the waters between Karang Berumput and Tukan Bass about 9.3 nautical miles from Santubong, located on the Damai Peninsula, 35km from here.
The Sarawak Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency pointed out that the sea and aerial SAR areas have been widened further, focusing on 15 nautical miles from the coast to cover the waters around Besi Buruk, Tanjung Sipang, Karang Berumput, Tukun Bass, and Pulau Lakei.
The agency also said the operation today includes assets from the Fire and Rescue Department (aerial unit), Sarawak Marine Fisheries Department, Sarawak Coast Guard, and a team from the Civil Defence Force.
Others involved in the search are eight fishing boats from the maritime community.
According to the agency, despite the intense search, no new leads are available till today.
The missing victims are skipper Khamizan Saidi, 40; Ng Ching Hui, 36; Christopher Teo, 32; Yap Tze Kang,41; and Leo Dy Lee Jiann Tarn, 35.
On Wednesday evening, the remains of the first mate Awang Omar Awang Hamsawi was retrieved from the sea.
He was involved in another boat incident on October 2 off the coast of Pulau Satang Besar in Telaga Air. Nine other anglers from this incident were found floating in the sea the next day with their life suits on.
They were rescued by fishermen in the area. – The Vibes, October 8, 2021
