Kuala nerus: Three of the six Indonesian nationals trapped in an adrift tugboat at Pantai Batu Rakit were successfully rescued at approximately 6.20 pm today. Kuala Nerus Fire and Rescue Station (BBP) chief Azmi Omar stated that the three men were rescued using a rope method attached to the boat and tied to the breakwater rocks.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the contractor had earlier used an excavator to pull the boat, which was about 50 metres out in the waters, to the side of the beach. Firefighters and contractors took about an hour and a half to pull the boat to the shore and rescue the victims using ropes attached to the boat, allowing them to swing out to land. The rescue team was concerned about the potential risk of the victims falling due to strong waves, but all three men were safely rescued.

Meanwhile, Kuala Terengganu district police chief ACP Azli Mohd Noor confirmed that the six Indonesian nationals, including the three who were rescued earlier, are currently at the Batu Rakit police station for further action. The employer of the six individuals, aged between 20 and 38, has been instructed to manage their return travel arrangements. All the victims possessed valid identification documents and permits. The tugboat was en route to tow a barge carrying a load of sand from Songkhla, Thailand, to Punggol, Singapore.