A Filipino man in his 20s was found dead today after he was believed to have fallen into the sea from an anchored vessel at the Ko-Nelayan Jetty in Kudat last night.
The victim was found by local fishermen near the scene at 10.20 am on the second day of the search and rescue (SAR) operation.
The Sabah Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) said in a statement that a medical officer confirmed the man dead at 10.30 am, and the body was subsequently handed over to the police for further action.
According to the department, the Kudat Fire and Rescue Station was alerted to the incident after receiving a call from the Kudat police station at 10.37 pm yesterday.
A friend of the victim who witnessed the incident dived into the water around the jetty in an attempt to locate him, but was unsuccessful. Firefighters and police then conducted a surface search in the surrounding area.
The operation was suspended at 11.10 pm due to darkness and resumed at 9.20 am today using a fire rescue boat.
The search involved 14 personnel from the Kudat Fire and Rescue Station and the Kudat Zone Water Rescue Unit (PPDA), assisted by the police, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), and the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM).
