Warning: Abduction of Crew From Fishing Boat Off Malaysia
Name and Type of Ship: Fishing boat
Date/Time of incident: September 23, 2019 at about 1200 hrs (local time)
Area Description: Off Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia
Category: Abduction of crew
Description: On Sep 23, 2019 at about 1200 hrs, seven masked-men armed with high powered firearms such as M16, RPG and pistols; believed to be members of the Kidnap for Ransom Group (KFRG) in Sulu-based Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) abducted three Indonesian crew from a Malaysian fishing boat. The fishing boat was in the vicinity waters of Tambisan Island, Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia when the perpetrators boarded the fishing boat from two pump boats. The perpetrators then fled towards Tawi-tawi Island, Philippines. The Malaysia and Philippine authorities are stepping up its patrol efforts, conducting pursuit operations and intensifying its military operation to rescue the abducted crew and neutralize the militant group.
Source: Media Report
This information is provided to inform maritime situational awareness for mariners operating in the area.