Two Drones Mobilised In Expanded SAR For Three Teenagers Feared Drowned In Tanjung Lompat

KOTA TINGGI, Sept 3 (Bernama) -- The search sector for the search and rescue (SAR) operation for three more teenagers who were feared drowned yesterday has been expanded to two nautical miles northwest of Tanjung Lompat Beach, Kota Tinggi today.

Tanjung Sedili Zone Maritime acting director Maritime Commander Mohd Najib Sam said the operation, which entered its second day, was activated as early as 7am this morning with the involvement of 41 personnel from various agencies.

He said the agencies included the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM), the Civil Defence Force (APM) as well as assistance from the local maritime community.

According to him, various assets were also used to assist in the search operation, including two drone units owned by the maritime and JBPM that are capable of monitoring as far as 20 kilometres.

"The two drones will be flown in several sessions, starting this morning, the drone will be flown once after noon," he said at a press conference at the scene of the incident, here today.

He said that his party, through the Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre (MRSC) Johor Bahru, was also in the process of informing the development of this case to the neighbouring authorities, if the search radius exceeded the territorial waters.

According to him, the tide factor with rough sea conditions also posed a challenge to the SAR operation.

"This morning the sea conditions were also quite rough at one to 1.5 metres and the weather in the afternoon may be uncertain," he said.

Mohd Najib at the same time did not rule out the possibility that the six 16-year-old boys were swimming far from the beach area, causing them to be carried away by the sea current.

Yesterday, one of the teenagers was found drowned at 1.25 pm, while the other three were still missing.

The other two teenagers were successfully rescued by the public.

The fire department announced that it received an emergency call at 8.19 am regarding the incident, with the victims being part of a group of 15 people who had come to camp in the area for the past two days.

--BERNAMA