Missing Fisherman Feared Fallen Overboard Off Tanjung Kubung, Labuan

LABUAN, Dec 24 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) has launched a search and rescue (SAR) operation to locate a fisherman who is feared to have fallen into the sea off Tanjung Kubung earlier today.

Labuan Maritime Zone director Maritime Captain Izwanhadi Idros said the incident was reported to have occurred about 7.8 nautical miles north of Tanjung Kubung.

In a statement tonight, he said the missing man was identified as Rosli Awit, 49, a Malaysian, who is believed to have fallen overboard at about 8.43 am.

Izwanhadi said the crew of the fishing vessel had carried out an initial search immediately after realising Rosli was missing, but they failed to locate him.

Following the report, MMEA deployed its assets to the scene at 12.40 pm, with the assistance of the Marine Police Force (PPM) PSC 1, to intensify the search operation.

Members of the public with any information related to the incident are urged to contact the Labuan Maritime Zone Operations Centre at 087-427999 or the emergency line 999 to assist in the search for the missing fisherman.

-- BERNAMA