Instructor, 11 commando trainees, boat helmsman found safe in Melaka

An instructor, 11 students of the Sungai Udang Camp basic commando course and boat helmsman who were reported missing near Pulau Upeh, Melaka last Saturday, were found safe near the Tanjung Bruas Jetty there early Monday.

The defence ministry said the 13, together with their boat, were found near the jetty at 12.50am.

"All were safe and no equipment was missing. Search and rescue operations were called off as soon as they were found," it said in a statement here.

They were part of a group comprising an officer, 10 instructors and 35 students in three boats and escorted by a security boat on a return journey from Sungai Udang to Pulau Upeh, a 7km distance, after a rowing exercise on Saturday at 4pm.

The boats encountered difficulties and almost capsized upon approaching Pulau Upeh, when a storm descended.

To avert a mishap, the security boat towed one boat to Pantai Klebang and another to Pulau Upeh.

"However, when it returned to the scene for the third boat, it was nowhere to be found. So, a search and rescue operation was activated.

The ministry also denied news reports that the 13 were commandos.

Army chief Gen Datuk Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor said those rescued were sent to the Armed Forces Hospital, Terendak Camp and were reported to be stable.