SANDAKAN: A Filipino fisherman died while two others were rescued after their boat caught fire near Pulau Taganak on Tuesday.
Sabah MMEA Director, First Admiral Mohd Khairulanuar Abd Majid @ Razali, said the incident occurred at 2.05pm when an MMEA vessel, KM Banggi, en route toSandakan, spotted black smoke about five nautical miles northeast of Philippine waters.
“A rescue team was dispatched at 2.52pm. The three victims found clinging to wooden debris were rescued, but one was confirmed dead at the scene.
“The survivors have been identified as Hajar Ganih, who suffered injuries to both legs, and Adamin, while the deceased has been named Fattah Asa,” he said, Wednesday.
He said one of the victims reported that eight other crew members were rescued by a local boat and taken to Pulau Bakungan Besar.
Mohd Khairulanuar said KM Banggi headed to Pulau Taganak to hand the victims over to Philippine authorities, with the transfer completed at 6.34pm.
The handover involved the KM Banggi team, led by Maritime Commander Mahathir Mohammad, and five members of the Philippine Coast Guard’s Taganak Sub-Division, led by Ens. Datu Halun.
