Two dead, five nearly drowned at Penunjuk Beach

KEMAMAN: The joy of a family of seven having a picnic at Pantai Penunjuk, Kijal, here turned into tragedy when a woman and her niece died, while five others almost drowned after being swept away by waves while bathing, this evening.

Kemaman District Police Chief Supt Mohd Razi Rosli said in the incident at about 4.15pm, all of them were believed to be bathing in the beach area before they were suddenly swept away by the waves into deeper waters.

According to him, five victims were successfully rescued by family members and members of the public, but the other two victims were unconscious before being taken to a clinic and hospital for treatment.

“The 12-year-old girl who was unconscious when found was taken to the Kijal Health Clinic, but was confirmed dead at 5.23 pm.

“His 39-year-old aunt was also unconscious and was taken to the Kemaman Hospital Emergency Unit before being confirmed dead at 5.42 pm,” he said when contacted by Bernama here, today.

Meanwhile, Kijal Fire and Rescue Station Chief Azizee Alias ​​said all the victims who nearly drowned while bathing at the beach were successfully rescued by members of the public before his team arrived.

“Firefighters at the scene provided initial treatment to the victims before they were handed over to the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the police for further action,” he said.

— BERNAMA