SAR activated in search of missing fishermen

Kuala Kurau Maritime Zone deputy director (Operations) maritime lieutenant Mohd Faiz Sujari said in the first incident, which occurred at about 9.40 pm yesterday, an Indonesian man, identified as Gong Drong went missing after the boat he was in overturned in Kuala Gula Waters, due to bad weather.

Two of the victim's local friends who were also in the boat laden with mangrove wood managed to save themselves by clinging on to a nearby fish cage, he told reporters at the Kuala Kurau Marine Police Base Jetty, here today.

Mohd Faiz said a search and rescue (SAR) operation had been activated soon after receiving the report.

Meanwhile, he said local fisherman Cheah Teang Kee, 61, was also reported missing after he was believed to have fallen into the sea from his boat while catching fish at about 3am today in Tanjung Piandang waters.

He said that based on preliminary information, the victim went fishing alone at 2pm yesterday before his boat was found drifting about eight nautical miles west of Tanjung Piandang, by other fishermen.

Mohd Faiz said the SAR operation for the two men involved 17 personnel of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, Pengkalan Kuala Kurau Marine Police Force, Fisheries Department, Fire and Rescue Department and the Civil Defense Force.

The operation was also assisted by the Kerian district fishing community, he said.

Meanwhile, Kerian district police chief Supt Mazuki Mat when contacted, confirmed receiving reports on the two incidents.