GEORGE TOWN: The body of a woman, believed to be a foreigner, has been found floating in a fish farm at Pulau Jerejak here.
State Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) director Maritime Captain Abd Razak Mohamed said the agency received a distress call from the owner of the fish farm about the matter around 1.40pm on Monday (Dec 5).
"A patrol boat KILAT 26 together with several other rescue agencies was dispatched to the location,” he said in a statement.
Captain Abd Razak said initial checks found that the victim was a Russian woman aged 34 who was believed to have fallen from the Penang Bridge at about 2.30am at KM5.4 mainland bound.
The police found her bag with identification documents among others at the bridge.
Earlier the Langkawi Maritime Rescue Sub Centre (MRSC) activated a search and rescue (SAR) operation at 6.55am on Monday which involved the marine police, Fire and Rescue Department and Civil Defence Force to search for the victim.
Following the discovery of the victim's body, the SAR was called off at 3pm.
Captain Abd Razak said the victim's body was sent to the marine police jetty in Batu Uban before being handed over to Penang Hospital for post-mortem.
He thanked the marine police, Fire and Rescue Department and Civil Defence Force who were involved in the rescue operation.
The public is requested to report any findings and report any emergencies or accidents at sea on the 24-hour MERS 999 emergency line or the Penang Maritime operations centre at 04-262 6146.
Those suffering from problems can reach out to the Mental Health Psychosocial Support Service (03-2935 9935 or 014-322 3392); Talian Kasih (15999 or WhatsApp 019-261 5999); Jakim’s Family, Social and Community care centre (WhatsApp 0111-959 8214); and Befrienders Kuala Lumpur (03-7627 2929 or www.befrienders.org.my/centre-in-malaysia for a full list of numbers and operating hours).
