A MASSIVE search and rescue operation in waters around Pulau Burung, off Sarawak’s coastal district of Sebuyau, have recovered the bodies of three of the nine crewmen who were reported missing after the cargo vessel MV Tung Sung capsized in rough seas on Thursday.

The vessel reportedly capsized some four nautical miles northwest of Pulau Burung just past noon Thursday.

Sarawak Maritime director First Admiral Zin Azman Md Yunus had earlier said the ship reported she was experiencing difficulties at around 9.40am before contact was lost.

The first body was found floating to the east of the islet at around 1pm, the second 15 minutes later while the third was recovered at around 2.40pm, according to the latest update from the operations room of the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Services Department.

The first two bodies were found by fishermen who then relayed their recovery to the Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) ship KM Kinabalu.

The third body recovered was sent to the Sarawak Rivers Board jetty in Sebuyau at around 3.18pm, transported by the Sarawak Coastguard fast patrol boat Terubuk.

The missing crewmen comprised of three Malaysians, two Indonesians and four Myanmarese.

They are aged between 20 and 52. –  July 22, 2023.