MIRI: The body of the Ocean Geos crew, reported missing when a fire broke out on the oil and gas drilling vessel, has been found.
The remains of Mohamad Saiful Ashnar, 31, were found inside the body of the ship about 1.30pm after the rescue team made the decision to search inside the vessel this morning.
Miri Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) director Captain Md Fauzi Othman said the body was found by four Miri Zone Fire and Rescue Department personnel.
"The victim's body was then taken to the Labuan Marina Jetty before being handed over to the police for further action," he said when contacted, here on Wednesday.
He said MMEA had sought the help of firefighters as they had experience handling such cases, including the risk of poisonous gas leakage.
"This is part of the rescue team's efforts in locating the crew," he said.
In the incident that took place around 3am on Tuesday, the Ocean Geos was conducting geotechnical work in the area during the incident.
An explosion had occurred in the ship's engine room which led to the fire.
The vessel was five nautical miles from Tanjung Baram, Kuala Baram, and there were 39 crew members on duty.
All 38 crew, including two who sustained injuries, were believed to have jumped into the sea.
According to a source, the victim was not missing when the ship's captain conducted a headcount before directing his crew to jump into the sea.
The cause of explosion is currently being investigated by the relevant authorities.