Mersing boat accident: two Singaporeans missing

A search-and-rescue mission is underway to look for two Singaporeans who have gone missing after a boat capsized off Mersing, Malaysia on Monday.

The fishing trawler with nine people on board, including seven Singaporeans, had capsized after the boat was hit by another vessel.

Five Singaporeans and two Malaysians have been rescued according to a Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency official on Tuesday.

The Straits Times reported that the trawler had been out on a fishing trip since Saturday.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said it is aware of the 'unfortunate accident'.

She added: 'Representatives from the Consulate-General in Johor Baru are on the ground to provide the necessary assistance to the survivors of the accident.'

One of the missing people, a man, is believed to have gone to Mersing on a fishing trip.

In response to media queries on the boat incident in Mersing, Johor, the MFA Spokesman said: "The Singaporeans rescued from the boat have returned safely to Singapore. Search and rescue operations are currently on-going for the remaining two missing Singaporeans from the same boat. Our officers from our Consulate-General in Johor Bahru are on the ground in Kuala Sedeli working closely with the Malaysian authorities and rendering assistance to the next of kin of the missing Singaporeans. We have also offered the Malaysian authorities our assistance in their search and rescue efforts, and have sought the assistance of the Indonesian authorities on this matter."

A similar incident occurred in Mersing last year. Five Singaporeans died after an overloaded boat capsized.

It was carrying more than double the number of allowed passengers and did not have enough life jackets.
(Source: The Straits Times)