TAWAU: The Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department and Civil Defence Force (APM) responded to three separate incidents over two days, involving a missing person, a capsized boat, and a boat leak.
On July 20, a 38-year-old man, Rizal Bedu, was reported missing after going fishing at Sungai Umas-Umas Dumpas, Tawau. His family alerted authorities when he failed to return home since the previous afternoon.
Tawau firemen conducted a surface search within a 500-meter radius and found the victim’s motorcycle, bag, and shoes on the riverbank.
However, the victim’s remains were missing, and the search was suspended at 5pm and resumed the following day (Monday). The operation involving district police, marine police, auxiliary policemen and villagers was extended to cover a radius of 1.5 kilometres.
In Kinabatangan, on the same day, a boat capsized at Ladang Temenggong, involving four anglers. Three were rescued, but one victim, Adzly Kassim (46), was found dead at 6.30pm by villagers, approximately 15 meters from the incident site.
The rescue operation involved firemen, police and 20 local volunteers. The operation concluded at 7pm, with the victim’s body handed over to police.
On July 19, a leaking boat in the waters off Pulau Sebangkat, Semporna, left nine men stranded. Civil Defence Force (APM) Semporna swiftly deployed four personnel using an aluminium boat for rescue.
Six victims were found floating while clinging to the sinking boat. All were safely rescued without injuries and transferred to a marine police boat before being brought ashore. – James Leong
