PUTRAJAYA, Jan 15 — A total of 93 tourists including 13 locals were reportedly stranded on Tioman Island due to bad weather.
The National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) said this was following warnings issued by the Meteorological Department on strong winds and third category sea turbulence with waves reaching up to more than 4.5 metres until tomorrow.
In a statement today, the agency said the condition was hazardous to all shipping and coastal activities, including ferry service.
“Companies involved in ferry operations from Tioman Island to Mersing have been forced to temporarily cease operations and this has caused many tourists to be stranded on the island,” said NADMA.
The agency said following the situation, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim today had requested for aid from the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) to bring the tourists back to the mainland.
The RMN’s vessel, KD Terengganu, which departed from the Tanjung Gelang Port, Kuantan around 4 pm today was expected to reach Tioman Island by midnight.
“If there are no obstructions, the stranded tourists will be brought home tomorrow and are expected to reach the Tanjung Gelang Port at about 3 pm,” NADMA added. — Bernama
