SANDAKAN: The body of a person who went missing in a fire incident involving three boats yesterday was found by members of the public yesterday evening.
The man, identified Susulan Abraham, 36, was found floating in waters off Kampung Cenderamata at Pulau Sapi here at 6.34pm.
He was among 11 victims who had jumped into the water when the blaze occurred about 3pm on Tuesday.
Sandakan Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency enforcement chief A Razak Abd Rahman said five others were being hospitalised at the Duchess of Kent hospital here for treatment for their burn injuries.
"On Tuesday, rescue personnel managed to put out the fire about 8.30pm.
"However, none of the vessels were able to be salvaged and all sank," he said in a statement.
It was learned the wooden boat had been loaded with 470 drums of petrol when it caught fire after the crew started the engine.
The blaze spread to another wooden boat and another vessel.
On August 23, a vessel also caught fire here just as 335 barrels of fuel were being transferred onto it.