Perhentian boat tragedy victims to make final journey home
Dr K. Balachandran, special officer (non-Islamic affairs) to the Terengganu Menteri Besar, said the post-mortems of S. Arumugam, 40, his daughter A. Sarrvihka, 3, and another relative, V. Vennpani, 10, were completed at 4.30pm today.
He said all 15 passengers in the boat were related and frequently holidayed on islands in Terengganu.
"The remains of the father and daughter will be taken back to Butterworth, while Vennpani's remains will be sent to Sungai Petani," he said, according to a Bernama report.
Balachandran said the 15 victims from four families arrived in Terengganu on Friday and were supposed to return today.
"I am made to understand that on the night of the incident, they were on their way back from Pulau Perhentian Kecil to Perhentian Besar after dinner," he said.
He added that the survivors were still in shock and traumatised by the incident.
Last night, the boat carrying 15 passengers aged between three and 40, capsized during a storm.
Besut police chief Superintendent Azamuddin Ahmad @ Abu later said that the boat driver, who tested positive for drugs, has been arrested.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said that the travel agency and boat operator had no licence to operate.
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