13-1-2025 (KUALA LUMPUR) Two foreign nationals lost their lives in a devastating maritime accident yesterday morning when two vessels collided in the waters off Balimbang, near Semporna, Malaysian authorities have confirmed.
The fatal incident occurred at approximately 9:45 a.m. as two speedboats, one carrying the victims and another with 12 tourists aboard, were en route to Mabul Island. The impact of the collision threw both men, aged 45 and 50, into the treacherous waters.
Superintendent Mohd Sapele, Semporna’s police chief, told reporters that despite immediate search efforts, both men were found deceased. “The victims were ejected from their vessel upon impact and subsequently disappeared beneath the waves,” he said. “When our rescue teams located them, it was unfortunately too late.”
The bodies have been transported to Semporna Hospital for post-mortem examinations to determine the precise cause of death. Local law enforcement has launched a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision under Section 304A of the Penal Code, which addresses death by negligence.
