KUANTAN: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) is continuing search and rescue (SAR) operations for a Turkish national who was reported missing after a yacht capsized off Pulau Yu near Kuala Terengganu.
MMEA director-general Admiral Datuk Mohd Rosli Abdullah said two diving teams have been deployed to the last known location where the vessel was reported to have sunk.
“The operation is ongoing with the deployment of sea assets and aerial support.
“We are also receiving assistance from other agencies, including the police,” he told reporters at the MMEA 2025 media day programme, Bernama reported.
Mohd Rosli said the operation is being conducted based on the latest information obtained from two survivors of the incident, with the search area covering about 305 nautical square miles.
“One of the survivors said they managed to jump into the sea as the vessel was sinking, while the other individual was believed to have been asleep and did not have time to escape.
“There’s a possibility the victim sank with the yacht. However, we’re still combing the area, hoping to locate the sunken vessel,” he said.
It was reported that three Turkish nationals – Ahmet Volkan Ata, 52; Ates Demiroren, 42; and Eser Demirkol, 52 – had planned to sail from Malaysia back to their home country.
However, the yacht was believed to have capsized during a storm in Pulau Yu waters on Tuesday afternoon.
Demiroren was rescued by local fishermen and Ata was found safe after drifting for nearly 43 hours before being rescued by a fishing boat.
Demirkol is still missing.
