Search and rescue efforts are ongoing to locate a 51-year-old fishing crew member believed to have fallen into the sea near Pulau Kendi, Batu Maung, Penang.
Barat Daya district police chief ACP Anuwal Ab Wahab said police received a report at 8.53am yesterday about the incident involving victim Tang Chin Khoon. Preliminary investigations found the victim had gone to sea with the boat skipper and two other crew members at about 6pm on Wednesday.
“While returning at about 10pm, the boat operator realised the victim was no longer on board and is believed to have fallen into the sea near Pulau Kendi,” he said in a statement today.
The skipper and other fishing boats immediately carried out search efforts in the area, but the victim was not found.
Anuwal said the Marine Police Force, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and other related agencies have been mobilised to coordinate the search and rescue operation since yesterday. Alerts have also been issued to the fishing community and vessels in the area to assist in locating the victim.
He added that initial investigations found no elements of foul play, and the case is being classified as a missing person at sea pending ongoing SAR efforts.
“The victim, from Jalan Batu Maung, is 167cm tall, of medium build, weighing 85kg, with fair skin and short black hair,” he said.
Penang MMEA said the search operation had been intensified with the deployment of two vessels and support from the Batu Uban Marine Police Force, with the search area expanded to nearly 19 square nautical miles focusing on the victim’s last known location.
Source: Bernama
