Pantai Tanjung Lompat Tragedy: Third Victim’s Body Found

KOTA TINGGI, Sept 4 (Bernama) -- The body of another teenager who went missing while swimming at Pantai Tanjung Lompat here last Wednesday was found this morning, bringing the number of victims recovered so far to three.

Tanjung Sedili Zone Maritime acting director Maritime Commander Mohd Najib Sam said the body of Muhammad Adib Hafiy Kamal was found at about 11.15 am by a boat crew from the Tanjung Lompat Recreation Association.

He said the victim was found about 0.5 nautical miles southeast of Tanjung Siang, within the designated search sector.

“The victim was lifted onto the PETIR 50 boat before being transferred to the Kevlar KCB 24 boat and taken to the beach. He was confirmed dead and identified as Muhammad Adib Hafiy after being identified by his next of kin,” he said in a statement today.

Mohd Najib said the victim’s body was then taken to Kota Tinggi Hospital for further examination and procedures.

Earlier, a sombre atmosphere prevailed at the Crime Scene Control Centre as the victim’s body was brought there for identification, with his father heard saying, “My son is back.”

Following the recovery of Muhammad Adib’s body, Mohamad Haiman Fitri Supian remains the only victim still missing.

The other two victims recovered earlier were Muhammad Thaqif Rayyan Rumainoor and Alif Taqiuddin Kamal Hasrul, while Mohamad Faqrul Isqadar Abdullah and Muhammad Afiq Ruzaini Mazlan were rescued by members of the public.

The Fire and Rescue Department said it received an emergency call at 8.19 am regarding the incident involving six teenagers from a group of 15 who had been camping in the area for the past three days.

Mohd Najib said the search-and-rescue operation, which entered its third day today, resumed at 7 am, with the search area expanded to approximately 103 square nautical miles and involving 61 officers and personnel from various agencies.

He said the search area and other aspects of the operation would be adjusted based on the latest developments, weather and sea conditions, as well as information received from the team on the ground.

Mohd Najib said the operation area was currently experiencing south-southwesterly winds of between 20 and 30 kilometres per hour, with wave heights ranging from one to 1.5 metres.

--BERNAMA