DUNGUN: An elderly diver has been reported missing while carrying out a diving activity in the waters off Pulau Tenggol near here on Friday (March 20).
Kemaman Maritime Zone director Maritime Commander Abdul Halim Hamzah said the incident occurred at 4.30pm when Tam Peng Hoong, 66, was diving in the area with his son.
"It is understood that the victim’s son surfaced after five minutes of diving; however, the victim did not resurface even after an hour,” he said in a statement on Saturday (March 21) night.
The Kuantan Maritime Rescue Sub Centre was notified, and a search and rescue (SAR) operation was activated at 2.10pm, nine minutes after the report was received.
Abdul Halim said the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) deployed the Penggalang 16 boat to the location, and a Forward Operating Base was established in Kuala Dungun here.
"There has been no sign of the victim as of 7pm. The SAR operation will resume on Sunday (March 22) morning,” he said. – Bernama
