Boat collision: Victims did not wear life vests

MANJUNG - The victims of the boat collision in the waters off Lumut-Pangkor on Monday were reported not wearing life jacket, said K Siva Rao, one of the victim's nephew.

The passengers were headed to the Pangkor Sri Pathirakaliamman Temple Masi Magam Tiruvizha (festival), Siva Rao said. "My aunt had come from Johor to go to the temple with her son. They were accompanied by a few other family members and acquaintances.

"I just heard that they rode a fisherman’s boat to get to the temple. Most victims did not wear a life vest, including my aunt and her son according to a victim who survived the collision," he said when met at the Seri Manjung Hospital forensics department, here, on Tuesday.

A Vijaya Letchumi, 43, had drowned in the incident, while her 18-year-old son sustained injuries on his arm after being tossed into the sea.

Other victims who perished in the 9pm incident were A Elsebeth Rani, 41, and G Divapiria, 26, who were in-laws to the victim.

Siva Rao, who worked as a fisherman, said they knew of the trip to the island, but did not expect that the accident would occur.

He said many boats would often make return trips during Masimagam to send tourists and locals to the temple.

"I'm not sure of the safety aspects of the boat, but she may have been saved along with other passengers if they had life jackets on," he said.

Manjung district police chief Assistant Commissioner Nor Omar Sappi said both boats were likely moving at high speeds without lights, causing the collision to occur.

"The condition of the waters was relatively calm, and the weather was good. No arrests were made so far," he said.

The boat involved was carrying a skipper and 17 passengers, nine of whom were foreign tourists from Penang and Johor on their way from Lumut to Pangkor.

The other carried a skipper and two passengers from the opposite direction.

The collision caused 10 passengers to fall out of the boats, and three victims were confirmed dead at the scene.