Penang: A man is believed to have drowned after falling from a boat while shovelling cockles at Kilometre 4.2 of the Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah Bridge, commonly known as the Penang Second Bridge, this morning. The victim, identified as 28-year-old Ismail Ahmad, has not yet been located.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Penang Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) director Mohamad Shoki Hamzah reported that six personnel from the Batu Kawan Fire and Rescue Station (BBP) were dispatched to the scene following an emergency call received at 10.39am. They promptly commenced a search and rescue (SAR) operation in an effort to locate the missing man.

The incident occurred when the boat collided with pole number 274 on the Second Bridge, resulting in the operator, Ismail Ahmad, falling into the sea. The victim’s father and a friend, who were present at the site in a different boat, were unharmed and not involved in the mishap.

Mohamad Shoki also mentioned that active search efforts are ongoing at the location where Ismail is believed to have fallen. The operation utilizes the water surface searching method and receives assistance from the Fishermen’s Association, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), and the Water Rescue Team (PPDA).