GEORGE TOWN: Police have received a report this afternoon alleging an aircraft had crashed at sea near Pulau Keramat, fronting the Flamingo Hotel, in Tanjung Bungah here.
Preliminary information revealed that it could possibly have been a private aircraft.
A search and rescue (SAR) mission was immediately initiated after receiving the report about 2.30pm.
Numerous agencies were roped in including the marine police, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), the Fire and Rescue Department and the Civil Defence Force.
However, despite more than five hours of search at sea, nothing was found.
Northeast district police chief Assistant Commissioner Soffian Santong confirmed receiving a report on the matter.
He said the report was lodged by a man and his friend, who claimed to have witnessed the incident about 2pm.
According to the report, the men claimed to have seen a dark coloured aircraft crashing at sea and immediately lodged the report.
"Police and numerous security agencies immediately launched a SAR operation at the area believed to be the crash site.
"However, until 6.30pm, we did not find any lead including fragments of the aircraft," he said when contacted.
Soffian said the SAR operation was called off about 7pm after the sky turned dark.
"We may resume the operation again tomorrow if we received any new information. Also, we have not received any report from the Civil Aviation Department (DCA) on any plane crash," he said, adding those with information or might have witnessed the incident should come forward.
"Also, if anyone who has missing family members, who are pilots or aircraft crew, should step forward to lodge a police report. So far, we have not received report of any missing person," he said.
Earlier this afternoon, social media was abuzz with news of a man who had lodged a police report after claiming to have witnessed a plane crash at sea in Tanjung Bungah.
The man claimed the incident happened very fast and he saw smoke coming out from the aircraft before crashing at sea.
Meanwhile, the Bagan Jermal Fire and Rescue Department said the information received was unclear.
Operation officer Muhamad Salleh Zainun said no other witness saw the incident.
"The distance between the sea and shore is about 4km. Numerous agencies were deployed to the area, but found nothing.
"The MMEA has also contacted the Butterworth air unit and was told there was no report on any crash," he said. - NST
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