A family outing at Pantai Sura Tengah turned tragic as a woman drowned and her brother went missing after being swept away by strong currents.
DUNGUN: A New Year’s Day family picnic ended in tragedy at Pantai Sura Tengah here today.
A 39-year-old woman drowned and her 37-year-old brother is missing after being swept out to sea.
Dungun district police chief Supt Maizura Abdul Kadir said Nor Baizura Shafie drowned while her brother, Mohd Fazir, went missing during the outing with 13 other family members.
“Nor Baizura was believed to be drowning when she was in the water and her brother, Mohd Fazir tried to save her but failed,” he said.
“Both victims were said to have drifted before sinking below the surface,” Maizura added.
Nor Baizura’s body was found by rescuers at 10.54 am and sent to Dungun Hospital.
The Dungun Fire and Rescue Station received a distress call at 10.27 am.
Station chief Asst Snr Fire Supt Shahrizal Shamsudin said 10 firefighters were dispatched to the scene.
“Rescuers faced difficulties due to big waves and strong currents before the woman was found and brought to shore,” he stated.
The first victim was found approximately 25 minutes after the emergency call.
A search operation for the missing man is ongoing.
