9 April 2022
The Johor government has sought Indonesia’s help in the “Op Carilamat” search-and-rescue (SAR) operation for a 14-year-old Dutch diver who went missing in waters of Pulau Tokong Sanggol in Mersing last Wednesday.
Menteri besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi said this was based on observation that the missing diver, Nathen Renze Chesters, could have been swept into Indonesian waters.
“We are asking help from everyone in the international waters.
“All quarters in the area, Indonesian and Malaysian, must work together to find this fourth person,” he said.
The boy was among four foreign divers reported missing in waters of Pulau Tokong Sanggol in Mersing last Wednesday.
Three of them have been rescued, including two found by local fishermen at a location south of Pengerang, near Kota Tinggi, about 1am today.
According to Onn Hafiz, all three divers were reported conscious and were recovering from their ordeal.
He said the cost of treatment of all divers would be borne by the state government.
“Alhamdulillah, two more victims were found safe early today.
“Another victim who was found earlier is also recovering well at the Mersing Hospital.
“The doctors are doing the best for them.
“We hope that they will have a speedy recovery and we will continue to do our best and pray that the final person will be found soon,” he said after visiting the two divers rescued today at a private hospital here.
The two divers rescued today were Briton Adrian Peter Chesters, 46, and French national Alexia Alexandra Molina, 18. The victim still missing is Peter’s son.
The first victim, Norwegian diving coach Kristine Grodem, 35, was found by a tugboat en route from Indonesia to Thailand at 8.15am last Thursday.
Mersing district police chief Cyril Edward Nuing said the SAR operation in Malaysian waters was called off at 1.30pm today.
He said this followed information and findings that the two drivers found early today were at a position 16 nautical miles north of Bintan Island, Indonesia.
He said this was about 70 nautical miles (100km) from the location they were reported missing.
“Based on this information, we are of the opinion that the search efforts should focus on Indonesian waters. As such, the operation in Malaysian waters has been temporarily suspended.
“Our Indonesian counterparts have been informed and they will take over (the operation) in Indonesian waters. However, our assets at sea are always at the ready.”
Source: www.freemalaysiatoday.com
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