Boat capsize victim’s body found, three still missing

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LAHAD DATU: The body of a man who went missing along with five other crew members when their boat capsized in the waters off Tahau, Philippines, was found by villagers from Kampung Simuning yesterday.

District police chief Superintendent Shamsudin Mat said the body was found by the villagers who went out to trawl about 6am.

He said one of the victims who survived the tragedy identified the body as one of their boat’s crew members, Jelwin Zaid, in his 20s.

“The identification was made based on the missing dentures and several other features on the victim. With the discovery of this body, there are still three more victims missing after the incident,” he said, adding that one boat crew member was found alive and another found dead in the Philippines sea.

On January 9, a boat ferrying nine people and 21 tons of rice, a ton of oil and 100 boxes of instant noodles capsized in the waters off Tahau, Philippines.

Three of the boat’s crew who drifted in the sea to Tambisan were rescued.

Shamsudin said the search and rescue operation is still ongoing with the assistance of the General Operation Force, Fire and Rescue Department, and Civil Defence Department.

Those who have any information about the incident or have recovered any victims along the coastal area may report to the nearest police station or call 089-881255.