Bachok: A nine-year-old boy is feared to have drowned while swimming at Pantai Kemayang in Bachok. The boy, identified as Muhamad Irfan Mohd Afendi, was swimming with his two younger siblings when the incident occurred.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Ridhuan Mohamad Ghazali, the chief of the Bachok Fire and Rescue Station, reported that an immediate search and rescue operation was launched. The operation, which includes assistance from the Water Rescue Team from the Pengkalan Chepa station, was initiated following an emergency call received at 7.15 pm.

A witness to the incident, Suzilawati Noorrashid, 24, described that the conditions at the beach deteriorated rapidly. As the waves intensified and the wind picked up, beachgoers began moving towards the shore. She recounted that while the boy was attempting to reach safety, a strong wave pulled him back into the sea. An attempted rescue by a member of the public was hindered by rocks on the embankment.

The search operation is ongoing, and further updates will be provided as developments occur.