SANDAKAN, 17 Jan 2009: A couple were killed while three others cheated death after a fishing boat capsized in a thunderstorm off Puru-Puru, Beluran, 34 nautical miles from here yesterday.
The victims were identified as Ungguh Samah, 80, and wife Jalilah Samah, 60, from Jambatan 12, Kampung Sim-Sim here.
The three survivors were the couple’s son Berahim Ungguh, 48, Aznil Abdul Hassan, 20, and Erman Rucak, 20.
Sandakan marine police acting commanding officer ASP Muhammad Sallam Spawi said the trio swam to Tanjung Puru-Puru and were rescued by a fishing boat at 5pm.
Assisted by fellow fishermen, the survivors returned to the scene and found Ungguh’s body near Tanjung Puru-Puru while the body of his wife Jalilah was found at 8am today.
Marine police received a report that a fishing vessel had capsized at 9am in a storm at 7.15pm.
Muhammad Sallam said poor weather conditions prevented the fishing boat from taking the survivors home and had to take shelter at Tanjung Niuk.
They were expected to return home later today. — Bernama
