KUANTAN: A weekend fishing trip turned into tragedy for two friends when one of them fell into the sea after their boat capsized at Kampung Baru near Gebeng here, yesterday.

Chea Yong San, 33, from Batu 3 here managed to swim back to shore safely while Tan Kok Meng, 37, was reported missing after their fibreglass boat was hit by a two-metre high wave in the 8am mishap.

Yong San, who was met at the scene, said he and his neighbour Kok Meng had set out to sea about 7am and were fishing some 300 meters from the shore.

“About an hour later, the waves became stronger, so we decided to return to shore. We were about to leave the spot when a huge wave hit the boat and resulted it to flip over.

“Once we were in the water, I panicked and started swimming to the shore. Only after reaching the shore, I realised that Kok Meng was nowhere to be seen and immediately alerted some friends for assistance,” he said, adding he later lodged a report at the Gebeng police station.

Yong San, who described Kok Meng as a good swimmer, said they were close friends who usually went out fishing together during the weekends.

Meanwhile, Pahang Fire and Rescue Department officer (operations) Ashrul Riezal Asbar said the search operations to locate the missing angler was called off about 7pm due to heavy rain and rough sea conditions.

He said the operation which included the police, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and Civil Defence Department will resume this morning.

-NST