SHAH ALAM: A search operation is on for three missing migrants after a 'pom-pom' boat carrying 19 people reportedly sprang a leak before sinking 2.1 nautical miles southwest of Sungai Apong in Sabak Bernam on Saturday (May 16).
Selangor Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) director Maritime Captain Abdul Muhaimin Muhammad Salleh said the agency received an emergency call from a boat crew member at 4.45am.
"Our first asset, Penggalang Boat 41, which arrived at the location, reported that the vessel had completely sunk at 9am after efforts to control the heavy water intake failed.
"So far, 16 victims have been rescued while the remaining three are still missing, prompting the search radius to be expanded to locate them as quickly as possible," he said in a statement here on Monday.
Abdul Muhaimin said the maritime vessel Bagan Datuk was also deployed to strengthen early intervention efforts within the emergency zone.
He said the rescued victims comprised 10 men, including two Bangladeshis and eight Indonesians, as well as six Indonesian women aged between 24 and 50.
"Initial investigations found that all the victims were first assisted by a local fishing vessel that was near the incident area before being handed over to enforcement assets that arrived later.
"We have also activated a Forward Search and Rescue Base at Jeti Kelong Paradise, which serves as the main command centre to coordinate logistics strategies and personnel movement," he said.
Entering its third day on Monday, Abdul Muhaimin said the search operation began at 7am with the joint involvement of the Marine Police Force and the Fire and Rescue Department, covering an area of 236 square nautical miles. - Bernama
