Search continues for two fishermen feared drowned after falling off boat

KOTA TINGGI: Two men are feared to have drowned after they fell into Sungai Johor while out fishing at the Mados jetty near Kampung Air Putih here on Monday (Sept 20) night.

Kota Tinggi Fire and Rescue station operation commander Al Hasra Mohamed said that received a distress call at 10.47pm Monday before deploying 11 firemen and other assets, including a boat, to the location.

"An eyewitness said he had seen two men fishing but moments later, he heard a splash and screams for help before the victims disappeared," he said here on Tuesday (Sept 21).

Al Hasra added that the missing victims have been identified as Ramdan Sulaima, 50, and 53-year-old Amiruddin Abdul Malik.

"The boat that the victims used was about 400m away from the jetty while the water depth is about 15m down," he said adding that the weather during the incident was good.

He also said that the Johor Fire and Rescue Department had sent eight scuba divers to help search for victims.

"The divers are searching around a 30m radius from the victims' last known location.

"We are also carrying out surface searches with the assistance of 11 marine police personnel and seven police officers," he said.

Meanwhile, Seri Alam OCPD Supt Mohd Sohaimi Ishak confirmed the incident and said the search and rescue operation to find the victims was still being carried out.

"The operation is being carried out alongside the Fire and Rescue Department, marine police and we have also roped in local fishermen to help find the victims," he added.