Latest news with #Demirkol
The Sun
a day ago
- General
- The Sun
Malaysia resumes search for missing Turkish sailor after yacht sinks
PUTRAJAYA: The search for missing Turkish sailor Eser Demirkol has resumed after the Turkish Embassy formally requested assistance through Malaysia's Foreign Ministry. Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) director-general Admiral Datuk Mohd Rosli Abdullah confirmed Demirkol was among three crew members aboard the yacht Daisy when it sank on July 31. The other two crew members, Ahmet Volkan Ata and Ates Demiroren, were found safe earlier in separate rescue efforts. The renewed search will concentrate on the area between the suspected sinking site and where the second survivor was located. MMEA will deploy sea and air assets to expand coverage and increase the chances of locating Demirkol. A previous seven-day search operation covered 457.61 nautical square miles but was suspended last Wednesday due to lack of leads. The operation involved MMEA vessels, STAR team divers, and a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to scan the seabed. Authorities urge the public, particularly the maritime community, to report any sightings or information via the 999 emergency line or Putrajaya MRCC at 03-8941 3140. The three Turkish nationals had embarked on a voyage from Malaysia to Turkey on July 28 before encountering a storm near Pulau Yu. Demiroren was rescued by local fishermen, while Ata was found 43 hours later by another fishing vessel. The MMEA remains committed to locating Demirkol and has called for public cooperation in the ongoing search. - Bernama
Malaysian Reserve
03-08-2025
- General
- Malaysian Reserve
Capsized yacht: SAR continues for missing Turkish national
KUANTAN – The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) is continuing its search and rescue (SAR) operation for a Turkish national, Eser Demirkol, who was reported missing following the capsizing of a yacht near Pulau Yu waters near Kuala Terengganu. MMEA director-general Admiral Datuk Mohd Rosli Abdullah said two diving teams were deployed this morning to the last known location where the vessel was reported to have sunk. 'The operation is ongoing today with the deployment of sea assets such as vessels and boats, as well as aerial support, including helicopters. We are also receiving assistance from other agencies, including the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM),' he said. He was speaking to reporters at the 2025 MMEA media day programme at the Sultan Ahmad Shah Maritime Academy (AMSAS) here today. Mohd Rosli said the operation is being conducted based on the latest information obtained from the two survivors of the incident, with the search area covering approximately 305 nautical square miles. 'One of the survivors informed that they managed to jump into the sea as the vessel was sinking, while the other individual (Demirkol) was believed to have been asleep and did not have time to escape. 'So, there's a possibility the victim sank entirely with the yacht. However, we're still combing the area in hopes of locating the sunken vessel,' he said. It was reported that three Turkish nationals, yacht captain Ahmet Volkan Ata, 52; Ates Demiroren, 42; and Demirkol, 52, had planned to sail from Malaysia back to their home country on Monday. However, the yacht was believed to have capsized during a storm in Pulau Yu waters on Tuesday afternoon. Demiroren was rescued by local fishermen while floating at sea, and Volkan Ata was found safe after drifting for nearly 43 hours before being rescued by a fishing boat. Both are currently receiving treatment at Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital in Kuala Terengganu. — BERNAMA
The Star
01-08-2025
- General
- The Star
Captain of sunken yacht recalls harrowing experience of surviving out at sea by swimming for two days
KUALA TERENGGANU: The captain of the yacht Daisy will never forget his harrowing experience of swimming in the open ocean for nearly 48 hours to survive after his yacht sank in the waters of Pulau Yu on Tuesday (July 29). Ahmet Volkan Ata, 52, from Turkiye, said he could only swim and would float when he felt tired, all while praying to be found by a fishing boat. "I kept swimming day and night. I hoped that I'm going to meet fishermen or some floating object that I can grab. "I didn't know what was real or not. I was hallucinating," he told Bernama when met at the Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital (HSNZ) here on Friday (Aug 1). Though at times he feel like giving up, Volkan Ata said he was grateful he was finally found by a local fishing boat after two days of battling the ocean. Recounting the tense moments, he said during a strong storm, his yacht sank hastily because one of the windows was open. "It happened like in 20 or 30 seconds. I couldn't find time to do or react against anything. "Although the boat sank we managed to swim up," he said. Volkan Ata was steering the yacht while the other two on board were sleeping. Meanwhile, one of the rescued passengers, Ates Demiroren, 42, who also swam for over 20 hours to save himself, expressed hope that their friend Eser Demirkol, who is still missing, would be found soon. He said after the yacht sank, he and Volkan Ata managed to swim back to the surface and were still communicating. But Demirkol could not swim and was seen sinking with the yacht. "I just kept swimming for more than 20 hours. Some boats were passing by but they didn't notice me. "Luckily I saw a fishing boat and I swam to them about one kilometer while screaming for help until they noticed me," he said. Terengganu Tourism, Culture, Environment and Climate Change Committee Chairman Datuk Razali Idris said the state government would assist the two survivors until they safely reach the Turkish Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. "They are both in stable and healthy condition but may need to be warded for another one or two days as doctors still want to monitor their condition. "We have also contacted the Turkish Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, and a representative will come here soon to assist the victims," he said. Razali said the state government, along with the police and the Turkish Embassy in Malaysia, are also handling the documentation, including their passports, which were lost in the incident. The three Turkish men were participants in a voyage who had planned to tour the continent from Malaysia to their home country on Monday (July 28). However, on Tuesday afternoon, the yacht was hit by a storm and is believed to have sunk in the waters of Pulau Yu. Demiroren was found floating in the waters and rescued by local fishermen yesterday afternoon, while Volkan Ata was found safe by a local fishing boat last night after nearly 48 hours adrift at sea. Demirkol is still missing. — Bernama
The Sun
01-08-2025
- General
- The Sun
Turkish yacht captain survives 48-hour swim after sinking near Pulau Yu
KUALA TERENGGANU: The captain of the yacht Daisy will never forget his harrowing experience of swimming in the open ocean for nearly 48 hours to survive after his vessel sank near Pulau Yu last Tuesday. Ahmet Volkan Ata, 52, from Turkiye, said he could only swim and float when exhausted, praying to be spotted by a fishing boat. 'I kept swimming day and night. I intended to get close to the coastline and hoped to meet fishermen or find something to hold onto. Sometimes I was confused between reality and a dream,' he told Bernama at Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital (HSNZ). Grateful after two days battling the ocean, he was rescued by a local fishing boat. Recalling the incident, he said a storm struck suddenly, sinking the yacht in seconds due to an open window. 'It happened in 20 or 30 seconds. I couldn't react. Although the boat sank, we managed to swim up,' he said, adding he was steering while two others slept. One survivor, Ates Demiroren, 42, swam over 20 hours before rescue. He hopes their missing friend, Eser Demirkol, is found soon. 'After sinking, Volkan and I surfaced, but Demirkol couldn't swim and sank with the yacht,' he said. Demiroren swam toward a fishing boat, screaming for help until noticed. Terengganu Tourism Chairman Datuk Razali Idris said the state will assist the survivors until they reach the Turkish Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. 'They are stable but may need monitoring after prolonged exposure to water,' he said. Authorities are handling lost documentation, including passports. The trio were on a voyage from Malaysia to Turkiye when the storm hit. Demiroren was rescued yesterday, Volkan Ata last night, while Demirkol remains missing. - Bernama
