A 39-year-old man was reported missing after he allegedly fell into the sea from Penang Bridge near pillar number five while heading towards the island on Wednesday.
The man was believed to have been fishing with several friends at the location when the incident occurred.
Penang Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) assistant director of operations, John Sagun Francis, said the department received an emergency request from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) at 11.16am to assist in a search and rescue (SAR) operation.
He said a fire engine from the Jalan Perak Fire and Rescue Station (BBP), along with five firefighters including a supervisor, was immediately dispatched and arrived at the location at about 11.30am.
“The SAR operation was carried out with the assistance of the JBPM Water Rescue Team (PPDA) to locate the victim, who was believed to have fallen into the sea.
“A Fire Command Post was also established at the Northern Region Marine Department to coordinate the search operation,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.
John added that the operation also received assistance from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and MMEA.
As of the latest update, the SAR operation was still ongoing as authorities continued efforts to locate the missing man.
