SEBUYAU: A body believed to be one of the four crew members of MV Tung Sung, which capsized near Pulau Burung on July 19, was discovered on Monday (July 31).
According to Simunjan OCPD DSP Wong Tee Kue, the body was found around 2.15pm during the search and rescue operation (SAR) conducted at the scene, about eight nautical miles from the Sarawak Rivers Board Sebuyau jetty.
“Following the 12th day of the operation, the rescue team located another body believed to be one of the victims of the capsizing incident. The recovered body has been taken to Sarawak General Hospital for DNA testing and further verification.”
Efforts to pump water out from the ship’s cabin are still underway as of 4pm, to remove the six feet of water that has accumulated inside. Once the water is fully pumped out, the search for the remaining three victims will continue.
Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, Sarawak Disaster Relief and Search Unit senior assistant director Lieutenant Commander Nurul Elmi Ali confirmed the participation of 82 individuals, including officers and members from various agencies, in the 12th day of the SAR operation.
These agencies include the police, marine police, Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), Sarawak Coast Guard and Civil Defence Force.
The search operation has been proceeding smoothly, with the Bomba’s Hazmat team conducting inspections on the ship to aid in the search efforts.
