BY ALLAN JAY
TANJUNG MANIS: An elderly man is feared to have drowned after falling into the sea from the Linau 27 barge in Rajang waters yesterday (Jan 1).
Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Tanjung Manis zone director Commander Gilbert Tinggak Numpang said the missing victim is identified as 64-year-old Mustapa Abdullah @ Moses Mleng.
Acting on information, a search and rescue (SAR) operation has been launched with its forward base set up at Tanjung Manis passenger terminal jetty.
“The incident happened at around 10.30 am when Mustapa and another crew member fell into the sea with a hut after the barge was struck by waves up to 3.5m high.
“The crew member, who fell into the water, attempted to rescue Mustapa but failed. He managed to cling to the fallen hut before being rescued by the Danum 126 tugboat.
“Mustapa’s last known location was seven nautical miles west of Kuala Rajang,” he said.
Gilbert added that rough sea conditions had hampered search efforts on the first day of the operation.
The operation is also assisted by Tanjung Manis police, Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) and Civil Defence Force (APM).
At the time of writing, the search is ongoing and Mustapa remains unaccounted for.
