A fisherman from Bukit Mertajam has been found dead after falling into the sea while fishing from the Penang Bridge, following a day-long search-and-rescue operation involving multiple agencies.
Abdul Ghani Mohsin, 39, was fishing with friends near pillar five on the island-bound carriageway when he fell into the water at about 6.15am on Wednesday (15 JULY).
The Penang State Maritime Operations Centre received a report on the incident at 6.10am, and the Langkawi Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre activated the search-and-rescue operation, according to The Star.
The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) coordinated the operation, which brought together the Penang Fire and Rescue Department, Marine Police Force and the Civil Defence Force.
Penang Fire and Rescue Department operations assistant director John Sagun Francis said the search used the water surface searching method, covering a five-kilometre radius from the point where Abdul Ghani was believed to have fallen.
“The victim was found by fishermen at 10.26am, about two kilometres from the point where he fell, and was brought to the Batu Uban jetty,” NST reported, quoting John.
Abdul Ghani was pronounced dead at the scene. His body was handed over to police and taken to Penang Hospital.
Penang MMEA director Maritime Captain Muhammad Suffi Mohd Ramli said patrol boats from marine police, the Fire and Rescue Department and the Civil Defence Force were deployed during the operation, which focused on the area around the bridge near the victim’s last known location.
The operation, which involved eight firefighters and JBPM’s Water Rescue Team, ended at 12.19pm on Thursday (16 JULY).
