PETALING JAYA: One person died, three were injured and eight others were rescued after a squid jigging boat capsized about nine nautical miles off Dataran Kuala Nerus in Terengganu last night.
Bernama reported that 10 participants from Kuala Lumpur, including two women, were on the squid jigging trip when the incident occurred at about 7.30pm.
Kuala Terengganu police chief Azli Mohd Noor identified the dead as crew member Ahmad Nasaruddin Mohmad Jalil, 37.
He said three participants – Faris Ibrahim, 33, Ahmad Danial Iman, 24, and Fatin Fariesya Rohaizan, 26 – were injured.
Boat operator Mohd Awais Sa’ari, 39, and seven other participants survived the incident.
Azli said the injured were brought to Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital for treatment.
“Further investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the incident,” he said.
Mohd Awais, a cousin of the deceased, said he had just performed Maghrib prayers when the incident happened. He said the sea was rough but there was no storm.
He said the boat had been in good condition and was used almost daily for squid jigging activities over the past few months.
“A large amount of water entered the engine room. I asked Ahmad Nasaruddin to cut the rope anchoring the boat so I could move it to seek help from other boats, but it was too late and the boat sank quickly,” he said.
Mohd Awais said he swam about one mile to seek assistance from another boat, and that all the participants, who had worn life jackets, had been adrift for about 30 to 40 minutes before help arrived.
