KOTA KINABALU: Six Filipinos who survived a vessel capsizing recently were handed over to Philippine authorities by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) at the Malaysia-Philippines maritime border on Monday.
Sandakan Maritime Director Capt Muhamad Suhairy Hussain said the agency received reports from Sandakan Port Control and Taganak Port Control regarding a vessel sinking outside Sandakan’s port limits at 7.30pm on Sunday.
A rescue operation was launched immediately, deploying a boat to the location, which successfully rescued six victims—five adults and one child, aged between 11 and 45—at 9pm.
The survivors were brought to the Sandakan Maritime Zone Jetty at 11.30pm for medical attention and further action before being repatriated following bilateral discussions.
The handover was completed at 10.30am on Monday at the border, with all victims in good condition as Philippine authorities assumed custody.
