Kuching: Two fishermen, a father and son, have been reported missing while fishing in the waters of Kabong yesterday. Director of the Tanjung Manis Maritime Zone of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), Maritime Commander Mahkos Juing, said that the Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre (MRSC) Kuching has coordinated a search and rescue (SAR) operation after receiving an emergency call at 9:50 am this morning.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, a Malaysian Maritime patrol boat was deployed to the location to conduct the SAR operation. The victims have been identified as Tuah Bujang, 57, and his son Mohd Aiman Tuah, 24, both from Kabong. They were supposed to return from sea yesterday evening but failed to do so.

The search is focused on the area where the victims are believed to be missing, with the operation covering an area of 13.6 square nautical miles. The public with information about the incident have been urged to contact the Tanjung Manis Maritime Zone Operations Centre at 011-35728765 or the emergency line 999 for immediate response.

Meanwhile, the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Operations Centre stated that both victims went out to sea at 2 pm yesterday to fish. The statement said that heavy rain and rough seas occurred around 5 pm on the same day, and both victims could not be contacted, leading to a police report being made at the Kabong Police Station at 6:49 am today requesting for a search and rescue assistance.

The victims’ boat was found by villagers at 9:00 am at a distance of 5.5 nautical miles and has been towed to the Kabong jetty.