Kota Kinabalu: A group of eight men who were reported missing while on a fishing trip in Tawau waters on Monday afternoon have been rescued.
Aged from 31 to 53, the group comprising seven locals and a Thai citizen were found by a search and rescue team some 7.6 nautical miles northwest of Pulau Sipadan at 5.35pm on Monday, according to the Tawau Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA).
The eight were reported missing when they failed to return home after leaving for a fishing trip from Inderasabah jetty on Sunday morning (July 23) and could not be contacted.
“MMEA informed the Maritime Rescue Sub Centre (MRSC) which then activated a search and rescue (SAR) operation at 10.15am, assisted by the marine police, Fire and Rescue Department and the local community.
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“A call then came in from one of the missing victims, asking for assistance as their boat had suffered engine failure and started drifting further out to sea.
“The victim finally managed to send their location and the team found them and towed the vessel back to the Inderasabah maritime post,” said Tawau Zone MMEA Deputy Director Maritime Commander Amiludin Yenggah.
All victims were safe and have returned home, he added.
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