CHUKAI: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency has deployed an aircraft in a search and rescue operation to locate three anglers feared missing in the waters off Kuala Kemaman.
Kemaman Maritime Zone director Commander Ariffin Ghazali said the agency is coordinating the deployment of the aircraft to assist in the search around the incident area.
"So far, a boat has been dispatched to the scene at 8.40am to aid in the search efforts. The navy, police, and local fishermen are also participating in the operation," he said.
Ariffin said the fishing boat carrying nine people, including the skipper, capsized after being struck by a barge earlier this morning.
"At this point, six victims have been located, with one confirmed dead," he added.
The victims, all from Gombak, Selangor, and Raub, Pahang, were said to be on a fishing trip when the incident occurred.
They boarded the boat at the Bukit Kuang Jetty in Kemaman around 5pm yesterday before heading out to sea.
The collision is believed to have occurred while the boat was anchored for fishing, when it was suddenly hit by the barge.
Kemaman district police chief Superintendent Hanyan Ramlan, confirmed the incident, adding that the victims are aged between 23 and 70 years old.