THE bodies of a woman and a man, believed to be victims in the sand dredger capsize on Wednesday, were found around noon today.

Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency Southern Region Maritime Operation deputy director Captain Sanifah Yusof said the woman’s body was found in the vessel’s cabin.

“The woman may be a Chinese national, but we have to wait for the identification process to be completed to confirm the identities of the two victims,” he told reporters at the search-and-rescue (SAR) guard post in Pantai Leka, Muar.

The remains of the man were found off Parit Haji Baki, 9.7km from Parit Jawa.

SAR personnel have found nine victims, five of whom were rescued alive.

Efforts to locate the missing crew members of the capsized JBB Rong Chang 8 have been extended by 190 nautical miles.

The SAR operations, which entered their fourth day today, involve 70 divers from MMEA and the navy, as well as professional divers engaged by the ship’s company.

Muar health officer Dr Noorhaida Ujang said two victims rescued yesterday have been moved to a normal ward.

“They did not sustain any injuries. They were just weak after not eating for two days.”

The five victims rescued alive have been identified as Liang Puzeng, Jiang Chunlin, Liu Konggan, Liang Rongbin and Wu Liangfu.

In the 7.50am incident on Wednesday, 14 crew members of the sand dredger were reported trapped when the vessel capsized.

Four were rescued by SAR personnel and one was found drowned on the same day. – Bernama, March 24, 2018.