48yo feared drowned while fishing at Pantai Belawai, Tanjung Manis

Rescuers search the waters off Pantai Belawai, Tanjung Manis, where a 48-year-old man is feared drowned after going missing while fishing for prawns.

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Feb 19: A 48-year-old man is feared drowned after he went missing while fishing for prawns along the shoreline at Kampung Tepi Laut, Pantai Belawai in Tanjung Manis yesterday evening.

The victim, identified as Sabarudin Awang Kamarudin, was reported missing after witnesses saw him suddenly sink and wave for help before disappearing from the water at about 5.03pm.

A search and rescue (SAR) operation was immediately launched by the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia Sarawak (Bomba Sarawak) following an emergency call. A team from the Tanjung Manis Fire and Rescue Station arrived at the scene at 5.55pm, about 21 kilometres from the station.

It was reported that the victim was not wearing a life jacket at the time of the incident.

The SAR operation entered its second day today, beginning at 7am under the command of PBK I Mohd Norismendi Mohammad, with six personnel deployed to continue the search using one fire rescue tender (FRT) and one rapid response vehicle (RRV).

The operation is being carried out with assistance from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM).

As of the latest update, the victim has yet to be found and search efforts are ongoing. — DayakDaily