158 passengers, crew rescued after ferry hits barge

Seventeen of the passengers, twelve Philippine nationals and five Malaysians sustained light injuries.

SEMPORNA: A total of 158 passengers and crew of the ferry ‘MB Juhari’ were rescued after it hit a barge about one kilometer from the Semporna coast, here, last night.

Semporna Fire and Rescue Station chief Fazizul Hizham Borhan confirmed receiving a report on the incident at 8.56 pm.

“The private sector-owned ferry, which left the Bungao Tawi-Tawi Islands in the Philippines for Semporna, had Malaysian and non-Malaysian passengers on board. The back portion of the ferry was reported to be under water,” he said.

Seventeen of the passengers, twelve Philippine nationals and five Malaysians sustained light injuries and were sent to the Semporna Hospital for outpatient treatment, he said when contacted.

He said the Fire and Rescue Department and other security agencies including the Marine Operations Force were still patrolling the area of the mishap to ensure the situation was safe.

Meanwhile, police could not be contacted for further information on the incident.

– BERNAMA