Bodies of two missing anglers found after 36-hour search in Labuan

KOTA KINABALU: The bodies of two anglers have been recovered some 36 hours after they went missing while fishing in Labuan.

Local fishermen found the remains of Yasin Johnar, 20, at 5.20pm on Monday (Aug 21) and Mohammad Shah, 19, two minutes later.

Labuan Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) director Capt Nudin Jusoh said the bodies were found some 0.5 nautical miles from Kiamsam beach.

“Local fishermen took the remains to the Fire and Rescue Department which then transported the bodies to the search and rescue base,” he said in a statement on Tuesday (Aug 22).

The victims had gone fishing in an engine-less wooden boat at 6am on Sunday (Aug 20).

A search and rescue mission was triggered after the families lodged a report when the victims failed to return home.

The victims’ boat was also discovered early Monday, not far from the jetty where they initially set sail.

Nudin said the MMEA scoured a four nautical square mile area near Kiamsam beach.

They were assisted by the marine police as well as the fire department and local fishermen.

“Families of the victims have been notified to identify the remains, which have been taken by the police for the next course of action.

“The MMEA urges the public to always look after their safety such as wearing life jackets when going out to sea,” he said.

Nudin also called on the public to report any incidents at sea to the Labuan MMEA operations centre at 087-427 999 or the Malaysia Emergency Response Services (MERS) 999 number.