6 divers saved after going missing in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR—Six scuba divers who went missing off a Malaysian resort island were rescued when they were spotted by a passing tugboat Sunday after spending a night in the sea, a maritime official said.

The boat spotted the divers—a Singaporean, a Chinese and four Malaysians—off Tioman island on Malaysia’s east coast, said Syed Mohamad Fuzi Syed Hasan, an official with the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency.

The Malaysian boat, which was on its way to Indonesia, later informed authorities, who picked up the divers, he said. Another official had said earlier the boat was Indonesian.

“Luckily all are safe,” Syed Mohamad Fuzi told AFP, adding that they were uninjured and back on Tioman island.

The six, who were aged between 25 and 33 and included two women, were reported missing after going diving off the island Saturday. A seventh member of the group, who lost the rest underwater, raised the alarm.

Syed Mohamad Fuzi said that due to a misunderstanding, the alarm was raised when the six were still diving. When they resurfaced, the boat was gone as it went to get help, and they drifted away with the current.

Syed Mohamad Fuzi said the divers were experienced, had inflatable jackets and huddled together throughout the night so no one would become separated from the group.

Malaysia’s east coast islands, famed for their corals and marine life, are a popular dive destination and accidents are rare.