GEORGE TOWN: A 35-year-old Myanmar national drowned in an irrigation canal in Sungai Bakap here today.
In the 7.30pm incident, Aung Hilang, was reported to be fishing at the canal near Kampung Bagan Buaya Changkat when he was swept away by strong currents.
The Penang Fire and Rescue Department said Aung and three fellow countrymen were with him at the time of the incident.
"A friend had tried to help rescue him but failed," said the department in a statement today.
Aung's body was recovered after a two-hour search by seven firemen.
His body was handed over to the police, and would then be transferred to the Sungai Bakap Hospital for a post-mortem.