THE Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department Operations Centre today confirmed that three of the five crew members of a vessel that sank in Batang Igan near Kampung Bungan Kecil, about an hour’s boat ride from Sibu, early today have been found safe.

A spokesman for the centre said according to the latest information, the third crew member managed to swim about 300m from the ship registered as Yu Lee, before reaching the banks of Sungai Kut, a tributary of Batang Igan.

“The Fire and Rescue team that arrived at the scene were told by the villagers that the crew member was identified as Lee Sia Kong, who is in his 40s,” the spokesman said today.

In an earlier statement from the centre, two workers on board the ship were reportedly rescued by villagers who were later identified as Ngu Soon Hock and Mohamad Taufik, in their 50s, while two others were still missing as of 4pm today following a search operation from 9.20am.

The identities of the missing duo have yet to be known.

Sibu district police chief Zulkipli Suhaili confirmed the incident and that the police were also involved in the operation. – Bernama, June 26, 2022.