SAR area expanded to two nautical miles in search for three missing teenagers in Tanjung Lompat

KOTA TINGGI, Sept 3 — The search and rescue (SAR) operation for three teenagers missing at Tanjung Lompat in Bandar Penawar has been expanded to cover up to two nautical miles of coastal waters today.

Tanjung Sedili Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) acting director Mohd Najib Sam said the search area was widened following the discovery of one victim about 500 metres from the incident site yesterday.

“Today’s SAR operational area has been increased from one to two nautical miles of coastal area in an effort to locate the three missing teenagers.

“The expanded area takes into account that there is a possibility that the missing teenagers are further away from their initial location,” he told reporters at the SAR command centre in Tanjung Lompat here today.

Mohd Najib said the operation resumed at 7am today involving 41 officers and personnel from various agencies, with two drones — one each from MMEA and the Fire and Rescue Department — deployed to assist the search.

He said the drones conducted two flights in the morning and would continue operating during high tide to determine whether the missing teenagers had been swept towards other nearby coastal areas.

“The drones flew two sessions in the morning in an effort to locate the missing victims.

“The drones will continue to be flown during high tide to see if the victims were washed away to other nearby coastal areas,” he said.

Mohd Najib said rough weather was also hampering the operation, with waves reaching 1.15 metres.

“The situation may change again in the afternoon due to the expected high tide and bad weather,” he said.

He added that authorities in neighbouring countries had been informed of the incident through the Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre (MRSC) in Johor Bahru.

However, he said the SAR operation remained focused on Malaysian waters, including onshore areas.

It was reported yesterday that four teenage boys were feared to have drowned after a beach outing, while two others were rescued.

The body of the first victim, Alif Taqiudin Kamal Hasrul Mohamad, 16, was found by the SAR team with the assistance of villagers at 1.25pm yesterday, about 800 metres from where he was last seen.

The three teenagers still missing are Muhammad Thaqif Rayyan Rumainoor, Mohamad Haiman Fitri Supian and Muhammad Adib Hafiy Kamal, all aged 16.