KUALA NERUS: Three Indonesian crewmembers have been rescued while another three remain stranded on a tugboat due to rough seas near a breakwater construction area at Pantai Batu Rakit, near here.
Kuala Terengganu OCPD Asst Comm Azli Mohd Noor said based on preliminary information, six crew members including the captain had departed from Port X One in Songkhla, Thailand, heading for Punggol, Singapore, on Wednesday.
He said at about 1pm on Sunday (Dec 14), the vessel suffered damage and was carried by strong waves to Pantai Batu Rakit, near Kampung Tanjung here.
"Police received a report at 4.30pm. Upon arriving at the location, we found a tugboat stranded along the shoreline.
"Three crew members were rescued by the public, while another three remain stranded on board the vessel. Efforts to evacuate the victims are still ongoing by the police and the Fire and Rescue Department," he said in a statement on Sunday.
Azli said rescue efforts were difficult and time-consuming due to bad weather conditions and strong waves that have persisted since on the night before.
According to him, police have cordoned off the area.
"So far, no fatalities have been reported. The three rescued crewmembers are currently being monitoring of the Terengganu Civil Defence Force medical team." – Bernama
