Pulau taganak: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) rescued three Filipino fishermen near Pulau Taganak after their boat caught fire yesterday. Sabah MMEA director, First Admiral Mohd Khairulanuar Abd Majid @ Razali, reported that the incident occurred at 2.05 pm when MMEA's vessel, KM Banggi, en route to Sandakan, spotted black smoke about five nautical miles northeast of Philippine waters.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, a rescue team was dispatched at 2.52 pm. The three victims were found clinging to wooden debris. Unfortunately, one of the victims was confirmed dead at the scene. The survivors have been identified as Hajar Ganih, who suffered injuries to both legs, and Adamin, while the deceased has been named Fattah Asa.

One of the survivors reported that eight other crew members were rescued by a local boat and taken to Pulau Bakungan Besar. Mohd Khairulanuar mentioned that KM Banggi headed to Pulau Taganak to hand the victims over to Philippine authorities, with the transfer completed at 6.34 pm.

The handover involved the KM Banggi team, led by Maritime Commander Mahathir Mohammad, and five members of the Philippine Coast Guard's Taganak Sub-Division, led by Ens. Datu Halun.