KOTA KINABALU: A fisherman who was reported to have fallen off a boat in waters off Sepanggar, here, was found drowned today.
The victim, identified as 38-year-old La Hasuba, was found by the Fire and Rescue Department at 11.02am.
District Fire and Rescue Department chief Ordine Gilu said his department received an emergency call about a person believed to have drowned after falling off a fishing boat at 8.42am.
He said a total of 14 firemen, including the Water Rescue Unit from the Kota Kinabalu station, were deployed to the scene.
"A search and rescue operation was carried out on the surface of the water and in the vicinity of the incident, with the assistance of members of the public.
"The victim was found by the department at 11.02am at a depth of 4m, near where he was reported to have fallen into the water," he said when contacted.
Ordine said the victim's body was later handed over to police for further action.