Tanjung balau: Four 16-year-old boys are feared to have drowned while swimming at Tanjung Lompat Beach, Tanjung Balau, Penawar, this morning. The Johor Fire and Rescue Department Operations Centre said it received an emergency call at 8.19 am, after which six personnel from the Bandar Penawar Fire and Rescue Station were deployed to the scene.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, initial information from members of the public indicated that six victims encountered difficulties while swimming at the beach. Two of the victims were rescued by members of the public at 7.45 am before the Operations Response Team arrived at the scene. The missing teens have been identified as Alif Taqiudin, Mohd Haiman, Adib Rizqi, and Thaqif Rayyan. It is understood that all four were part of a group of 15 teenagers who had gone camping in the area since 6.30 pm yesterday. A search-and-rescue operation has been launched.
The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), through the Johor Bahru Maritime Rescue Sub Centre (MRSC), activated the search-and-rescue operation, with the PETIR 12 boat deployed to the scene. Acting Tanjung Sedili Maritime Zone director Maritime Commander Mohd Najib Sam, in a statement, said the Tanjung Sedili Maritime Zone Headquarters Operations Centre received information about the incident at 7.35 am, prompting MRSC Johor Bahru to activate and coordinate the operation.
He explained that the search sector currently covers an area of about one square nautical mile from the incident location, involving the Marine Police, Johor Fire and Rescue Department, Malaysian Civil Defence Force, Royal Malaysia Police, Ministry of Health, and the local fishing community. Mohd Najib noted that a Forward Search and Rescue Base (PHC) had also been established at the scene to coordinate all assets and agencies involved in the operation. He added that the MMEA would continue deploying suitable assets and personnel until all the victims are located, while assessing the progress of the operation based on prevailing weather and sea conditions.