Labuan: The body of a fisherman who was reported missing in the waters off Lawas, Sarawak, on August 14 has been recovered near Tanjung Batu beach here. Labuan police chief Supt Mohd Hamizi Halim announced that a woman searching for sea urchins discovered the body floating in the waters near the beach yesterday.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the fisherman's son confirmed the identity of his father at the Forensic Department of Labuan Hospital during the post-mortem examination. The victim, identified as 65-year-old fisherman Assan Osman, was reported missing after he went out to sea to search for marine resources in Sundar, Lawas.

Family members and villagers had initially launched a search for the fisherman, but they only managed to locate his boat adrift in Sundar waters. Mohd Hamizi stated that the case has been classified as a sudden death while awaiting the full post-mortem results. He further mentioned that the case is considered closed unless the post-mortem reveals otherwise.