3 S’poreans dead in Mersing ferry tragedy
By Kai Fong – December 26th, 2010Email Facebook Twitter Print
A ferry carrying 29 passengers from Sibu Island towards Mersing Johor’s Tanjung Leman ferry terminal has capsized (Getty Images).
Three Singaporeans have died while another two are believed to be missing after a ferry carrying 29 passengers bound for Mersing, Johor capsized on Sunday afternoon.
According to Malaysian media, the three Singaporeans are Adrian Tan, aged 67; Chua Lim Khoon, aged 45; and Low Li Jun, aged 33.
Another two male Singaporeans are believed to be missing.
Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it has been in touch with the families and next-of-kin of the dead Singaporeans, as well as those missing.
It will assist with the repatriation of the bodies, and facilitate the return to Singapore of those who can travel, reported Channel NewsAsia.
According to The Straits Times (ST), the incident happened at about 1.30pm on Sunday, when the boat was travelling back to Singapore from a kelong in Sibu Islands towards Mersing’s Tanjung Leman ferry terminal.
A ministry spokesman added that Malaysian authorities have recorded 19 Singaporeans on board the boat.
Other passengers include Malaysians and a Chinese national.
14 were rescued — seven have been warded while the others were given outpatient treatment.
‘It capsized just 200m to 300m from the jetty because the current was too strong and it was windy,’ Mersing police chief Mohd Nor Rasid was quoted as saying.
Moreover, the vessel was “overloaded” with more than double its capacity of 12 passengers.
He also told the Associated Press that the passengers were not wearing life vests.
Both the operator and the Malaysian boat driver have been arrested.
Search and rescue operations are currently ongoing.
Singaporeans who are unable to reach their loved ones who were on the boat can contact the MFA duty office at +65-6379-8800 (24 hours) and the Singapore Consulate-General in Johor Bahru at +60-7226-5012 (24 hours).
By Kai Fong – December 26th, 2010Email Facebook Twitter Print
A ferry carrying 29 passengers from Sibu Island towards Mersing Johor’s Tanjung Leman ferry terminal has capsized (Getty Images).
Three Singaporeans have died while another two are believed to be missing after a ferry carrying 29 passengers bound for Mersing, Johor capsized on Sunday afternoon.
According to Malaysian media, the three Singaporeans are Adrian Tan, aged 67; Chua Lim Khoon, aged 45; and Low Li Jun, aged 33.
Another two male Singaporeans are believed to be missing.
Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it has been in touch with the families and next-of-kin of the dead Singaporeans, as well as those missing.
It will assist with the repatriation of the bodies, and facilitate the return to Singapore of those who can travel, reported Channel NewsAsia.
According to The Straits Times (ST), the incident happened at about 1.30pm on Sunday, when the boat was travelling back to Singapore from a kelong in Sibu Islands towards Mersing’s Tanjung Leman ferry terminal.
A ministry spokesman added that Malaysian authorities have recorded 19 Singaporeans on board the boat.
Other passengers include Malaysians and a Chinese national.
14 were rescued — seven have been warded while the others were given outpatient treatment.
‘It capsized just 200m to 300m from the jetty because the current was too strong and it was windy,’ Mersing police chief Mohd Nor Rasid was quoted as saying.
Moreover, the vessel was “overloaded” with more than double its capacity of 12 passengers.
He also told the Associated Press that the passengers were not wearing life vests.
Both the operator and the Malaysian boat driver have been arrested.
Search and rescue operations are currently ongoing.
Singaporeans who are unable to reach their loved ones who were on the boat can contact the MFA duty office at +65-6379-8800 (24 hours) and the Singapore Consulate-General in Johor Bahru at +60-7226-5012 (24 hours).
