Four Missing Anglers Found Safe, Search For Three Others Expanded

SHAH ALAM, Sept 15 (Bernama) -- Four of the seven anglers reported missing yesterday were found safe by a local fishing boat in the waters off Sekinchan, 25 nautical miles from the coast of Sungai Besar, at about 9.50 am today.

Selangor Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) director Abdul Muhaimin Muhammad Salleh said the four men were found floating close to one another and were in a weak condition.

“They are now receiving treatment at Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital (HTAR), Klang, and Banting Hospital, Kuala Langat, while the cause of the incident is still under investigation.

“Hazy conditions reduced visibility and made the SAR operation slightly more challenging,” he said in a statement.

He said the search and rescue operation was ongoing to locate the remaining three victims, with the maritime search area expanded to 203.5 square nautical miles, while the aerial search covers 764 square nautical miles.

He said the second day of the SAR operation involved MMEA sea and air assets, as well as assets from the Royal Malaysia Police, Fire and Rescue Department, Civil Defence Force and two local fishing boats.

“MMEA will continue to coordinate the search efforts with the agencies involved to ensure the SAR operation is carried out comprehensively and continuously until all the victims are located.

“Any information related to the incident can be channelled to Selangor MMEA at 013-660 6652,” he added.

Six anglers and a boat skipper were reported missing after they could not be located in the waters off One Fathom Bank, near Pulau Ketam.

Meanwhile, Klang Utara Police chief ACP Ramsay Embol said in a statement that the four victims found safe have been identified as Mohd Shairazi Abdul Aziz, 43, Muhd Hamiszar Punirain and Mohd Rizal Mohamad Sadali, both 45, and Zulfikalnain Awang, 47.

He said the boat they were in was believed to have capsized and sunk due to storms and rough seas.

-- BERNAMA