KOTA KINABALU: A search is on for a teenager who was swept out to sea by strong currents at the Tanjung Aru Menumbok beach in Labuan.
The 17-year-old Haibil Abdo was swimming with his friends at the beach on Monday (July 17) evening when strong winds and high waves struck.
"He was dragged further out the sea before disappearing underwater," said Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) zone director for Labuan, Nudin Jusoh in a statement Tuesday (July 18).
A police report was lodged later in the evening after attempts to search for the boy failed, he said.
He said the search and rescue operation was activated by the Malaysia Rescue Sub-Centre Kota Kinabalu at 1pm, Tuesday.
"We have deployed our search vessels but are also requesting assistance from other agencies to help the operation," said Nudin.
However, rescuers are facing difficulties due to the bad weather with waves up to 3.5m high and wind speeds of up to 50km per hour, he said.
