KOTA KINABALU: A search has been mounted for a missing Filipino man who jumped off a ferry which was deporting illegals back to their home country in Sandakan waters on Wednesday (March 15) night.
The Fire and Rescue Department, police and Civil Defence Force conducted the operation via surface searching in boats after receiving the report about the missing man.
"We were first alerted of the incident that took place at Karamunting Port waters by the Sandakan district police headquarters.
"According to the ferry manager, the man suddenly jumped into the sea from a fourth-level window on the ferry as the vessel started its journey at around 6.45pm," said a Fire and Rescue spokesman on Thursday (March 16).
The state Immigration Department on Wednesday reported that 653 Filipinos who committed various immigration offences were deported using the MV Antonia 1 ferry bound for Zamboanga City Port, the Philippines.
"An integrated Search and Rescue (SAR) operation on Thursday was conducted within a 2km radius from the location where he was reported to have jumped.
"The operation was suspended at 5pm and will be continued on Friday (March 17)," added the spokesman.
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