A nine-year-old boy is feared to have drowned after he was swept out to sea while swimming at Pantai Kemayang in Bachok this evening.
Bachok Fire and Rescue Station chief Ahmad Ridhuan Mohamad Ghazali said the victim has been identified as Muhamad Irfan Mohd Afendi. Authorities received an emergency call at about 7.15pm, prompting an immediate search and rescue operation.
The effort is being carried out with support from the Water Rescue Team from the Pengkalan Chepa Fire and Rescue Station.
A witness, 24-year-old Suzilawati Noorrashid, said the boy had been swimming with his two younger siblings when weather conditions suddenly worsened. As waves became stronger and winds intensified, beachgoers began heading back to shore.
She said the boy was nearing the beach when a large wave pulled him back into the sea. A member of the public attempted to rescue him but was unable to reach the child due to rocks along the embankment.
Search and rescue operations are still ongoing, with authorities expected to provide updates as the situation develops.
