Missing 13 soldiers found safe in Malacca

Thirteen soldiers who were reported missing in the Straits of Malacca on Sunday when their boat overturned, were found safe but emaciated early Monday in Pengkalan Perigi, Malacca, about 12km from the scene of the mishap.

The soldiers, comprising two officers and 11 basic commando course trainees from the Sungai Udang Camp in Malacca, were found sprawled on the beach about 2am, by members of the public.

Army chief, General Datuk Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor said the soldiers were in a state of emaciation after swimming towards the beach while clinging to their boat.

"They were examined at the Armed Forces Hospital in Terendak Camp, Malacca and were found to be in stable condition," he said when contacted by Bernama today.

The 13 were among 44 officers and soldiers returning in three boats from Sungai Udang to Pulau Upeh, a distance of seven kilometres, after a rowing training session about 4pm last Saturday.

Their boat was separated from the group after being struck by strong waves in the choppy waters off Pulau Upeh at 10.30pm.

"The boat overturned and the engine failed. They had to cling on to the boat and swim towards the beach, which was between 12km and 13km from the scene of the incident," said Raja Mohamed Affandi.