TEN individuals were injured when a tourist boat they were on collided with a fishing boat at the Besut River estuary near Kuala Besut Jetty in Jertih yesterday afternoon.

Besut police chief Abdul Rozak Muhammad said 21 others who were on the tourist boat were uninjured in the 3.30pm incident. 

“The boat ferrying the tourists left the Pulau Perhentian Jetty at 2.30pm, and the incident occurred when the boat arrived at the Kuala Besut Jetty about an hour later,” he said when contacted by Bernama today.

He said a team comprising police, Fire and Rescue Department and Civil Defence Force personnel, as well as members of the public, were involved in the rescue operation.

Rozak said the incident has been referred to the Marine Department for further action under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952.

Meanwhile, Besut civil defence officer Capt (PA) Ramlan Ros Wahid said the accident is said to have occurred when the tourist boat was entering the jetty area while the other boat carrying three fishermen was about to leave.

“All victims, including two children aged 11 and 12, were rescued and sent for treatment at Besut Hospital and Kuala Besut Health Clinic,” he said. – Bernama, February 1, 2022.