MORE than 500 people were rescued after a ferry they were on ran aground in the Kuala Kedah estuary at 9.15pm yesterday.

Kuala Kedah maritime zone commander Noor Azreyanti Ishak said the Malaysian Maritime Department (MMD) contacted the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) that a ferry from Langkawi Island to Kuala Kedah was stuck in a mud bank some 0.8 nautical miles from the estuary.

“A total of 511 passengers were on the Express Bahagia 168 ferry when it ran aground due to low tide.

“MMEA’s Perkasa 1224 boat was immediately deployed to ensure the safety of the passengers and assist MMD,” she said in a statement today. 

She said the ferry was finally towed to the jetty at 11.15pm and the operation ended at about midnight.

Apart from MMD, also involved in the operation were police personnel, Fire and Rescue Department, Health Department, Civil Defence Force and Volunteers Corps Department, she said.

Noor Azreyanti urged people in the area to contact 999 or the Kuala Kedah maritime zone operations centre at 04-731 0579 in case of an emergency at sea. – Bernama, February 24, 2023.