The search and rescue (SAR) operation for four people who went missing along with their boat in the waters of Pulau Balambangan on Monday, ended its fifth day today at 7pm.

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), in a statement today, said the operation today was focused on southwestern Kudat and southwest coast of the original search area, from Simpang Mengayau to Mengalum.

However, it said all the aerial and sea assets used in the SAR operation had yet to locate the victims.

The operation would continue tomorrow, the statement said.

In the incident late on Monday, the four reported missing were Spanish nationals David Hernandes Gasulla and Martha Miguel, both 30; a Chinese national who is also the owner of a resort in Tanjung Simpang Mengayau, Tommy Lam Wai Yin, 44; and a local employee of the resort, Armella Ali Hassan, 23.

All the victims were to have arrived in Tanjung Simpang Mengayau at 8pm on that day.

- Bernama