KEPALA BATAS: A man is feared to have drowned after he jumped into the sea to flee from the police during a crime-prevention patrol at Kompleks Pasar Bisik Ikan, Kota Kuala Muda here early today.

Seberang Perai Utara (SPU) district police chief ACP Mohd Radzi Ahmad said several men who were at the scene ran helter-skelter when the police arrived at about 3 pm, with a few of them seen jumping into the sea.

"So far, one of them is confirmed still missing and a search for the victim has been mounted with the assistance of the Fire and Rescue Department," he said when contacted here today.

Meanwhile, Penang Fire and Rescue Department operations officer Mohd Yusni Manshor said the department received a distress call at 5.32 am, following which a search and rescue operation for the victim was carried out.

-- BERNAMA