The search and rescue (SAR) operation for four more victims of a capsized dragon boat in Penang was called off this evening and will resume at 8am tomorrow.

    

penang dragon boat accident 170109 rescue team State Fire and Rescue Department deputy director Mohd Razam Tajarahim said its scuba-diving unit had to stop the SAR operation at 7pm today as it was getting dark.

"The operation will continue tomorrow morning with the participation of a scuba-diving team from Kedah which arrived this evening.

"We will also have three more boats for the SAR operation, bringing the number to eight tomorrow," he said.

Today's operation at sea as well as using aircraft involved 60 members of the security forces.

    

In the 8.45am incident today, the dragon boat carrying 18 people were hit by strong waves and capsized about 100 metres from the beach at Lebuh Macallum.

Two bodies recovered

The bodies of student Jason Ch'ng, 17, and teacher Chin Ai Fang, who drowned, had been found while four other students, Brandon Yeoh, Koh Yiz Hiang and Cheah Zi Jun, all 17, and Yong Xiang, 16, are still missing.

They are dragon boat rowers from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Chung Ling Air Itam who were undergoing weekend training to prepare themselves for the Penang International Dragon Boat Race to held in the middle of this year.

The school's 18-member dragon boat rowing team comprises a teacher (Chin), two coaches and 15 students.

Mohd Razam said his department would discuss with the local fishermen's association to help find the missing victims.

It is understood that members of the security forces are also patrolling the area round the clock in the search for the victims.

- Bernama