Six crew rescued, one missing after cargo ship capsizes off Lawas

A CARGO ship capsized in the South China Sea off the coast of Lawas district in northernmost Sarawak this morning at about 9.30am.

Six crew members have been rescued while one is reported missing, said Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department.

The cargo ship was laden with quarry stones and sailing from Sipitang in Sabah heading towards Brunei when it capsized while passing the sea offshore Lawas, the department said.

"Based on the emergency alert, the location of the incident is about 2.2 nautical miles in the sea offshore Kpg Awat Awat in Lawas.

"Six crew members were rescued and one still missing.

"We have deployed a search and rescue mission," the department said.

Lawas district is Sarawak's northernmost territory between Sabah and Brunei. - January 28, 2025