Catamaran Tragedy: Most Victims Still Traumatised

KOTA KINABALU (Sabah, Malaysia) Jan 31 (Bernama) -- Most of the victims of the Catamaran capsize tragedy on Saturday (Jan 28) are still traumatised, said Sabah Police Commissioner Ramli Din. Met by reporters after visiting victims warded at the Queen Elizabeth 1 Hospital here, he said some were becoming more stable but all were still receiving medical attention. "Police have appointed a liaison officer for every victim so that their welfare is well looked after," he said. Ramli also said a remand order had been obtained on the 44-year-old owner of the boat, who was detained Monday evening, until Feb 3 to help in investigations under Section 304A of the Penal Code for negligence resulting in death. Two crewmen of the boat who survived are being remanded until Feb 2. "There have been no further breakthroughs on the case and the investigation is being carried out from all angles," he added. Also present were Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment assistant minister Pang Yuk Ming, China's Consul-General in Kota Kinabalu Chen Peijie and Kota Kinabalu police chief ACP M. Chandra. The media was not allowed in the wards where the victims were being treated. The Catamaran, with three crew and 27 tourists from China, capsized and sank due to strong winds and large waves at 10 am on Saturday, an hour after it left the Tanjung Aru jetty here for Pulau Mengalum, 56 km northwest of Kota Kinabalu. On Sunday (Jan 29), two crew members and 20 tourists were rescued in the waters of Semarang near Labuan. Three tourists died in the tragedy. -- BERNAMA