KOTA KINABALU: The body of a man was found floating in waters off Pulau Mamutik not far from here on Wednesday morning.
However, the authorities are trying to confirm whether the body, which was found at about 10am, is that of the six people still missing after a catamaran with Chinese tourists sank on Saturday.
Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Ramli Din confirmed receiving a report but could not yet confirm the identity of the body.
"We cannot confirm the identity yet. Please give us some time," he said when contacted.
"We do not want to give wrong information," he added.
On Jan 28, a catamaran with 31 people on board – comprising 28 Chinese nationals and three crew members – sank an hour after departing the Tanjung Aru jetty on Saturday morning.
The search effort began immediately after the company operating the vessel reported the mishap to the authorities 12 hours after the incident.
Twenty of the Chinese tourists survived the 32-hour ordeal at sea, while three died.
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