567 passengers were trapped onboard after a ferry ran aground on a sandbar about 0.5 nautical miles from Malaysia’s Kuala Perlis Ferry Terminal, on Monday (16 Sept).
Source: @solihin5431 on TikTok
The incident occurred 15 minutes after the ferry departed the terminal at 2.30pm.
According to Langkawi Ferry Line Ventures’ general manager, Dr Baharin Baharom, heavy rain and strong winds caused the ferry to veer off course onto the sandbar, reports Sinar Harian.
Three other ferries travelling from Kuala Kedah to Langkawi were also forced to turn back due to the storm.
All passengers were safe, but the company faced challenges moving them due to the large number of people and the low tide.
Source: Lily Oodin on Facebook
They had to wait for the tide to rise in order to transfer the passengers to another vessel.
Kuala Perlis Maritime Zone Director, Commander Mohd Hashim Mat Zain, said officers were dispatched to assist and monitor the situation at 5.30pm.
Eventually, the ferry was successfully towed by a tugboat when the tide came in, reports Bernama.
After being deemed safe, the ferry resumed its journey to Langkawi at 9.05pm.
All passengers were determined to be in good condition.
“No one experienced any shortness of breath. We even gave food and drinks to the passengers,” said Dr Baharin.
He also mentioned that all passengers affected by the storm were refunded, and some rescheduled their trips.
Also read: 3 passengers trapped between seats after bus crashes into highway divider in M’sia, 30 more injured
Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at news@mustsharenews.com.
Featured image adapted from Lily Oodin on Facebook, Amran Bin Raman on Facebook
The boy was trapped inside the lift for over half an hour before being rescued.
The man is known to be a frequent troublemaker.
A total of 13,099 travellers were fined.
He confessed to local police that he ate the dogs.
A motorcyclist was killed while two people in the car sustained injuries.
Some reports claim that the container might have been unsecured.