By Nancy Nais
KUCHING, April 22: The body of diver Chong Su Sian who went missing while scuba diving in the waters of Pulau Satang last Saturday (April 17) has been found by the search and rescue team today.
Sarawak Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Deputy Director Operations, Maritime Captain Yousry Yaali said in a press conference that the identity of the body was confirmed by Chong’s family members.
Local fishermen found a body floating in the waters of Tanjung Po, some 50km away from where she was last seen at about 9am today.
They immediately informed Maritime Rescue Sub Center (MRSC) Kuching.
“We received information from local fishermen that they found an object about 32 nautical miles (50km) from where Chong, 31, was last seen and 16.4 nautical miles north from Tanjung Po.
“Her body was found intact, with her wristwatch still on and still wearing her diving suit. However, we did not find other diving equipment, such as an oxygen tank or fins,” Yousry said.
He added that the sea search and rescue (SAR) sector from day one (April 18) had covered about 1,630 nautical miles by 207 personnel, utilising various sea assets, aircraft and drones.
With the discovery of Chong’s body, the SAR operation officially ended at 1.35pm.
On behalf of MMEA, Yousry also thanked the police, marine police, police air unit, Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), Civil Defence Force (APM), villagers and communities for their efforts to assist in the search.
On that fateful day, Chong together with five friends took a diving trip near Pulau Satang Besar.
She disappeared after failing to resurface after an hour and thirty minutes following a solo dive at about 4pm. — DayakDaily
