KUCHING – The MV Tung Sung was successfully refloated at about 2.30pm yesterday, 11 days after the vessel capsized in Sebuyau waters, about 103km from here.
Sarawak Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency director Maritime Azman Md Yunus said following this, the search for four more missing victims, who are believed to be trapped in the vessel, continues tomorrow.
Search and rescue operations began on July 20 and four days ago efforts to refloat the vessel began.
“The MV Tung Sung has been successfully refloated and has been towed to a new position, around eight nautical miles northwest of Sebuyau to ensure the ship’s condition is completely stable,” he said in a statement today.
He said the Fire and Rescue Department’s Hazardous Materials Unit will lead the search operations.
“The search operations front line base at the Sarawak Rivers Board jetty in Sebuyau will be opened at about 8am and any bodies discovered will be brought there,” he said.
Eight crew members went missing after the vessel capsized.
Onboard were Chieng Siew Ngiek, Wong Hua Wu and Stimba Anak Chuit, all locals from Sibu; four Myanmar nationals identified as That Min July, Ye Lin Htet, Hla Win Tun, and Tun Lin Oo; and Indonesian Lido Ali Purwanto.
Four bodies were found by fishermen on July 22 but their identities have yet to be confirmed. – Bernama, July 31, 2023
