Body of missing boat victim found after four days

PASIR PUTEH: The body of a man believed to be a fisherman who went missing when a boat sank off the waters of Pulau Perhentian, Terengganu five days ago was found yesterday evening.

Kelantan Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) director Maritime Captain Muhd Nur Syam Asmawie Yaacob said the victim, Asaari Leh, 46, was found by the public floating around 8.3 nautical miles southwest of Pulau Perhentian at 5.30 pm.

“The victim’s body was brought by an MMEA ship to its jetty tonight,” he told reporters here yesterday.

In the incident, four fishermen were saved after spending 14 hours swimming to Pulau Perhentian while the victim swam alone, leaving his friends in choppy seas during stormy weather after they abandoned their sinking boat.

Muhd Nur Syam said the victim’s remains were handed to the police for an autopsy at Besut Hospital before being handed over to the family for burial at his hometown in Gong Keding, Pasir Puteh.

He added that 83 personnel from various agencies launched a search and rescue operation to locate the victim using sea and air assets.

-- BERNAMA