NSTP FILE PIC, FOR ILLUSTRATION PURPOSE ONLY.
NSTP FILE PIC, FOR ILLUSTRATION PURPOSE ONLY.

KUANTAN: A Bangladesh national drowned while bathing with three friends at Pantai Kampung Baru Gebeng near here today, less than a week after a Nepali factory worker suffered a similar fate at Teluk Chempedak beach here.

The remains of labourer Md Rashidul, 30, was found about 100 metres from where he was last seen in the water with his friends at 4.45pm.

District police chief Assistant Commissioner Wan Mohd Zahari Wan Busu said the victim's superior had alerted the Gebeng police station about the incident at 3.30pm.

"Investigations revealed the victim had gone to the beach located at Kampung Baru Gebeng some 3km from Kuantan Port with three friends at noon. They wanted to spend the weekend off at the beach.

"They were swimming about 100m from the shore before the victim and another friend were swept away further into the sea by strong currents.

The victim was missing, and his friend tried to locate him before swimming to the shore," he said, adding his friends returned to their factory and alerted their superior about the incident.

Wan Mohd Zahari said the search and rescue operation for the missing foreigner began at 4.45pm with assistance from the Gebeng fire station, Civil Defence Force personnel and police.

"Firemen found the victim's body washed ashore less than an hour later and his remains were taken to the Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital here," he said.

On Feb 14, the remains of Nepali national Ganesh Rana, 22, was found at Pantai Sepat, about 18km from where he was last seen on Feb 12.

Ganesh was reported missing at sea after falling from a rocky area near the Teluk Tongkang beach at Teluk Cempedak here