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- The search and rescue mission is still on going. — Bernama photo
KOTA KINABALU: Investigation into the catamaran capsize incident yesterday revealed a new twist, with a 10-year-old girl whose name was not listed in the passenger list reported missing.
Sabah police commissioner Datuk Ramli yesterday said that one of the passengers who boarded the catamaran with his wife and daughter did not include them in the passenger list.
The wife and daughter are among those still missing.
In another spin, Ramli said it was also found that one of the passengers registered his name twice; in full and a short name, doubling his identity in the list.
“This brings the total number of passengers who boarded the boat to the original number given, which is 28, and not 27 as disclosed yesterday,” he said.
On Monday, Ramli said that of the 28 who were listed as passengers, one had canceled plans to join the trip and did not board the boat.
“Investigation is still ongoing and as it progresses, we don’t deny the possibility of the figure changing.
“The survivors are still recovering from exhaustion and trauma, and not comfortable with being interviewed. We need to consider this when trying to get information from them,” he said.
He added there were still many victims who could not be interviewed as they were still weak and traumatised by the incident.
Meanwhile, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim when met during a visit to a flood relief centre in Pekan, Pahang, confirmed the number of victims missing was now six.
He said the search and rescue mission had also been intensified by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, with more assets mobilised to search a wider area.
In the tragedy at 10am on Saturday, the catamaran carrying 28 Chinese tourists and three crew members capsized and sank due to strong winds and huge waves while travelling to Pulau Mengalum, about 56 kilometres northwest of Kota Kinabalu.
So far, 25 victims have been accounted for, including three who died.
Meanwhile, the 44-year-old manager and owner of the catamaran who was detained on Monday is now being remanded until February 3.