LANGKAWI, Nov 17 (Bernama) -- The search and rescue (SAR) operation for the capsized boat carrying undocumented migrants in Malaysian-Thai border waters was called off today after nine days, covering a search area of 1,745.88 nautical square miles.
Kedah and Perlis Maritime deputy director (operations) Capt Zainudin Mohd Zuki said the operation would end at 6.30 pm today after a final assessment found no new leads, besides factoring in weather and risk considerations, in line with SAR Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
He said the operation was activated on Nov 9 after the Langkawi Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre (MRSC) received a report on the discovery of the first victim in Langkawi waters the day before.
“As of noon today, a total of 43 victims have been found, comprising 14 survivors (12 men, two women) and 29 deceased (15 men, nine women, two boys and three girls).
“The victims were found throughout the operation at several locations around Pulau Singa Besar, Pulau Rebak Besar, Teluk Apau, west of Tanjung Belua and Pulau Anak Datai,” he said in a statement today.
Zainudin said all the victims found had been handed over to the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) for identification and further action.
He added that if there were any new discoveries or leads, the agency would review the situation and reactivate the SAR operation to locate victims still missing.
He said more than 300 personnel and 22 assets were deployed during the nine-day operation, involving the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), Marine Police Force (PPM), Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM), Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) and the Department of Fisheries (DOF).
“Maritime Malaysia optimised all capabilities and assets to ensure every search sector was fully covered.
“Maritime Malaysia also extends its appreciation to all security agencies and parties involved, including PPM, JBPM, APM, DOF, the Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM), PDRM, the Health Ministry, the maritime community and individuals who assisted throughout the operation,” he said.
-- BERNAMA
BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; www.bernama.com; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies.
Follow us on social media :
Facebook : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatv, @bernamaradio
Twitter : @bernama.com, @BernamaTV, @bernamaradio
Instagram : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatvofficial, @bernamaradioofficial
TikTok : @bernamaofficial
