KOTA KINABALU: The search for five Chinese tourists and a crew member of the catamaran that sank on Saturday has now been expanded into the waters off Miri, Sarawak.
The search since Sunday has been concentrated on Sabah and Brunei waters.
Maritime Rescue sub-centre officer Nur Hafiza Hasan, who gave a briefing on the latest search and rescue efforts Wednesday, said the search area has been widened from 3,000 to 3,900 square nautical miles.
"Assets have also increased from 20 to 22 today (Wednesday)," she said.
Nur Hafizah said rescuers may encounter problems today due to the strong winds and choppy seas that have been forecast.
A total of 20 assets from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), Air Force, Navy, marine police and the Brunei air force are involved in the operation.
On Jan 28, the catamaran with 31 people on board – comprising 28 Chinese nationals and three crew members – sank at about 10am, about an hour after departing the Tanjung Aru jetty.
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 in the mishap.
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