One killed, 11 missing in boat tragedy

2009/11/27

KUDAT, Fri: A 72-year-old woman passenger was killed while 11 others are still missing after a fishing boat, reportedly carrying 25 passengers, capsized near Karakit in Pulau Banggi off here yesterday evening. Sabah and Labuan Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) chief enforcement officer, First Admiral Mohd Taha Ibrahim, said the boat was on its way from Kudat to Karakit.

Thirteen passengers survived in the 5.30pm incident, he said when contacted.

He said that a search and rescue operation was currently underway involving the MMEA, General Operations Force, Marine Police and other agencies.

The cause of the incident was still being investigated but initial reports showed that the height of the wave at that time was about two metres, he added. -- BERNAMA