A FISHING trip in Bachok waters ended in tragedy last night when a boat carrying 20 people capsized after it was caught in a storm about 10 nautical miles from the Kuala Kemasin base jetty.

Kelantan Deputy Police Chief SAC Abdullah Mohamad Piah said in the 8pm incident, four men were found drowned, four more are missing while 12 anglers were confirmed safe. All are between the ages of 18 and 60 years old.

“The fishing boat they boarded for their trip was reported to have been hit by a storm and strong waves, causing the rope of the anchor to break and the boat to overturn, throwing all into the sea.

“Amid the chaos, those who were saved were rescued by their friends on other boats, including fishermen, and four bodies were recovered in the vicinity,” he told a press conference at the Kuala Kemasin base jetty this morning.

Abdullah said the four bodies and 12 men who were saved were taken to the jetty by a Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) team and other fishing boats about 2.15am.

“The bodies and those who were saved were sent to Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital in Kota Baru for a post-mortem and treatment, while search-and-rescue operations continued with help from other agencies this morning,” he said.

He said 14 of the anglers were from Kg Padang Tok La, Pasir Mas, while six others were the skipper and crew who set out on the trip from Kuala Besar, Kota Baru at 3pm.

He said several others who have yet to be identified had boarded other boats and started fishing before the storm hit.

Those who died in the incident were Mohd Syahrizan Daud, in his 40s; Muhamad Zaki Muhamad Nordin, 19; Wan Aminudin Wan Hussin, in his 60s; and, a Thai national known only as Pokta, in his 50s.

The four missing men are Arman Ismail, 43; Harun Daud, in his 60s; Syafiq Abdul Halim, 30; and, Che Wadi Bakar, in his 40s.

Meanwhile, Mohd Rowi Hussin, 50, who is the nephew of victim Harun Daud, said he hopes his uncle is found soon.

“We accept what Allah decides. I received a call from the police about 11pm yesterday and rushed here to find out the latest development,” he said.

He added that the anglers had gathered at his house yesterday morning before leaving for Kuala Besar, all excited to go on their trip to catch fish and squid.

He said the last time he saw the group was in a video recording of them on the boat sent to him via Whatsapp about noon yesterday. – Bernama, June 30, 2020.