Kuala terengganu: The search and rescue (SAR) operation for a male Myanmar student from a private higher education institution, feared drowned yesterday, resumed at 8.30 am today. Kuala Terengganu Fire and Rescue Station chief Thoyyibah Taib said the search has been extended to cover seven kilometers along Pantai Pandak.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the SAR team is continuing operations along the coast of Pantai Batu Buruk to locate the victim. However, the search efforts are being hindered by weather conditions and high waves. The search operation by the Water Rescue Team (PPDA) was temporarily suspended due to large waves and will resume once conditions improve.

Thoyyibah reported that a total of 36 rescuers from the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM), the Royal Malaysia Police, and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency have been deployed for the search operation, utilizing Kevlar boats. The incident involved an 18-year-old Myanmar national, Sithu Moe Lwin, a student at INTI International University College, Nilai branch, Negeri Sembilan. He was feared drowned after he went missing while bathing at Pantai Batu Buruk.

Terengganu State Fire and Rescue Headquarters' Operations Management and Station officer Baharum Muhamad Hasim revealed that his team was alerted at 12.19 pm to a drowning incident involving four teenagers at the beach. The group consisted of two males and two females, including one local, who had gone to the beach for swimming.