LANGKAWI: A Langkawi ferry crew member is feared dead after he slipped and fell overboard, minutes after the ferry docked at the Kuala Perlis jetty last night.
It was learnt that the 8pm incident occurred five minutes after the ferry had docked next to another vessel at the jetty.
The ferry's crew members, upon hearing a loud splash from below and realising that their 20-year-old colleague was missing, dove into the water to search for him.
However, their effort proved futile despite an hour of frantic search.
Kangar deputy police chief Deputy Superintendent Zaini Talib said the missing crewman has been identified as Firdaus Mohamad Zulkifli, from Kupang, Baling in Kedah.
The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and Fire and Rescue Department had mounted a surface search for the man but it was suspended at 12.45am.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azlan Man and several state executive councillors visited the scene late last night.
Scuba divers from the Fire and Rescue Department mounted an underwater search at 8am today.