A New Year family outing at Pantai Sura Tengah in Kuala Dungun, Terengganu, took a tragic turn when two siblings drowned while swimming, amid sea conditions that appeared calm but were affected by strong currents.
What happened on New Year’s Day?
The incident occurred at around 10.27 am on Jan 1, when Nor Baizura Shafie, 39, from Kampung Paya Balai Besar, Dungun, was reported missing in the water while picnicking with her family. Her younger brother, Mohd Fazir Shafie, 37, is believed to have been swept away while attempting to save her.
Dungun Fire and Rescue Station chief Shahrizal Samsuddin said an emergency call was received at about 10.27am, prompting 10 personnel from the Dungun Fire and Rescue station to be dispatched to the scene.
“Upon arrival, the rescue team immediately launched a search and rescue operation and found one of the victims, the woman, 25 minutes later,” he said.
Baizura’s body was recovered at about 10.54am, roughly 27 minutes after she was reported missing. Rescue efforts, however, were made difficult by sea conditions.
“Rescuers faced difficulties due to strong waves and currents before they managed to bring the victim ashore. The victim was pronounced dead by medical officers at the scene,” he added.
Rescue attempt ends in double tragedy
Dungun district police chief Superintendent Maizura Abdul Kadir said the family, comprising seven adults and eight children, had been picnicking at the beach before the incident occurred.
"The tragedy happened when Baizura reportedly drowned while swimming and her Mohd Fazir tried to save her. Unfortunately, the rescue attempt failed and both were swept away and submerged,” she said.
Following the recovery of Baizura’s body, search efforts continued throughout the day for Fazir, involving a boat search and shoreline sweep, with assistance from police and the Civil Defence Force.
Baizura’s body was later taken to Dungun Hospital’s Forensic Unit for further investigation before she was laid to rest at the Kampung Gong Pasir Islamic Cemetery at around 10pm.
‘They lost their grip on each other’s hands’
The victims’ younger sister, Nur Mashitah Shafie, 22, recounted the harrowing moments leading up to the tragedy.
“At that time, our whole family was extremely anxious and kept praying that my brother would be able to save my sister. However, they lost their grip on each other's hands before being swept away by the current,” she reportedly said.
She said the family had not intended to swim that morning.
“Our family often goes to this beach. My late sister had been eager to swim since last week, but we discouraged it as the waves were still strong at the time,” she said.
Mashitah said the family had initially stayed near the shoreline.
“As the waves did not appear rough, Fazir suggested that we swim a little further from the beach,” she said.
She only realised something was wrong when it was too late.
“I did not realise my sister was drowning because she did not cry out for help. It was only when I turned around that I saw her struggling.
I immediately shouted to Fazir to alert him and he swam towards her to help,” she said.
“At that moment, both Baizura and Fazir were separated, bobbing in and out of the water before disappearing into the sea,” she added.
Second body found, search concluded
The search ended in further tragedy in the early hours of Jan 2, when Fazir’s body was found.
Dungun Fire and Rescue Station chief Sharizal said the body was discovered at around 12.35am, about 1km from where he was reported missing.
“The victim's body was found stranded along the shoreline by rescue teams and was confirmed dead by a medical officer before being handed over to the police for further action.
Following the discovery of the body, the search and rescue operation for the victim was fully concluded at about 1.10am,” he said.
Police confirmed that the body was taken to Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital, Kuala Terengganu, for an autopsy before being handed over to the family for burial.