Search and rescue operation for a 66-year-old diver missing off Pulau Tenggol will resume after initial efforts found no trace of the man.

DUNGUN: A search and rescue operation for a missing elderly diver will resume this morning after no sign of him was found yesterday. The 66-year-old man, Tam Peng Hoong, was reported missing while diving in the waters off Pulau Tenggol.

Kemaman Maritime Zone director Maritime Commander Abdul Halim Hamzah said the incident occurred at 4.30pm on Wednesday. Tam was diving in the area with his son at the time.

“It is understood that the victim’s son surfaced after five minutes of diving; however, the victim did not resurface even after an hour,” he said in a statement.

The Maritime Rescue Sub Centre in Kuantan received a report on the incident yesterday afternoon. A search operation was activated at 2.10pm, just nine minutes after the report was received.

The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency deployed the Penggalang 16 boat to the location. A Forward Operating Base was also established in Kuala Dungun to coordinate the effort.

“There has been no sign of the victim as of 7pm,” Abdul Halim stated. The search was suspended for the night and is scheduled to resume this morning.

 The Sun Malaysia