Police retrieve buried body of a boy related to Semporna fish bombing

 By Olivia Miwil - January 14, 2022 @ 9:42pm

Search and rescue mission ongoing to locate the remains of the boy at Tatagan Island on January 12. - Pic courtesy of PDRM

SEMPORNA: Police have retrieved the body of a boy believed to be related to a blast of a pump boat following fish bombing activity off Tatagan island here.

The authorities were alerted by the public on Wednesday and launched a search and rescue operation to find missing victims.

The incident, however, took place a day before the report.

District police chief Superintendent Mohd Farhan Lee said further investigations led to a new grave at the Kampung Halo burial site here where the victim was buried on Wednesday.

"After obtaining an order from the court, a police forensics unit team, the Semporna police Criminal Investigation Department team and a hospital medical team, as well as the General Operations Force, began digging up the grave at the burial site.

"The body was brought to the Semporna Hospital mortuary for post-mortem examination to identify the cause of death," he said in a statement.

"The deceased is a foreigner believed to be 10 years old, based on the physical condition of the body."

The case is being investigated under Section 304A of Penal Code for causing death due to negligence.

Farhan said police are now tracking down the deceased's father, known as Astari, to assist in the investigation.

"The public is advised to come forward to give any information or lodge a police report if they have any information regarding fish bombing activities in this district.

"The activity of fish bombing is a criminal offense punishable under Section 8 of the Explosives Act 1957 which provides for a maximum imprisonment of seven years or a fine of RM10,000 or both if convicted."