BATU PAHAT: A 45-year-old man drowned while seven others survived when the kelong, a manmade wooden platform, they were fishing on collapsed.
Batu Pahat police chief Asst Comm Shahrulanuar Mushaddat Abdullah Sani said the incident occurred in Senggarang waters at around 2am on Sunday (May 4).
"The kelong, located about 0.8 nautical miles (1.4km) southwest of Parit Hailam, Senggarang, was hit by strong winds at the time.
"We believe the force caused the kelong to collapse, causing the eight victims, who were fishing at the time, to fall into the sea," he said in a statement on Sunday.
Police received an emergency report at 2.28am, and a search and rescue mission was launched, involving police, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, Fire and Rescue Department, and Civil Defence Force.
ACP Shahrulanuar Mushaddat said they rescued seven survivors, four locals and three Indonesians, aged 30 to 51, at around 5am.
"The body of the eighth victim was found around 3.50pm on Sunday, floating about 0.8 nautical miles from the kelong.
"The deceased was identified as Mohd Faizal Mohd Nor, a 45-year-old plantation worker from Renggam, Kluang," he added.
The body and survivors were sent to Hospital Sultanah Nora Ismail for post-mortem and medical attention respectively.
