KUALA LUMPUR – National oil giant Petronas has confirmed a tragic incident during lifeboat maintenance works at the Floating Storage and Offloading (FSO) Sepat facility off the coast of Terengganu yesterday, which left three contract workers dead and another severely injured.
“Regrettably, three personnel were pronounced dead upon arrival at Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah, Kuala Terengganu at approximately 5.57 pm yesterday, while one injured personnel was evacuated for medical treatment and remains under observation,” Petronas said in a statement today.
The company added that investigations into the cause of the incident are currently underway in cooperation with the relevant authorities.
“Petronas extends its deepest condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of the deceased. The company’s immediate priority is to provide support to the well-being of those affected,” the statement read.
Post-mortem examinations for the three deceased workers are scheduled to be conducted at 8:30 AM today.
The deceased have been identified as Ahmad Fiqri Zakaria, 38, from Taman Merdeka Batu Berendam, Melaka; Muhammad Faezuan Hakim Mohammad Bustamam, 28, from Jalan Kampung Jawa, Kuantan, Pahang; and Nik Muhammad Hafifi Asri Ab Majid, 37, from Bandar Indera Mahkota, Kuantan, Pahang.
The surviving victim, Mohd Taufik Mohd Ruslan, 37, from Banting, Selangor, sustained severe fractures and is currently receiving treatment at the Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital (HSNZ).
Kuala Terengganu District Police Chief, Azli Mohd Noor, stated that the case has been classified as sudden death (SDR) for the time being. He added that further investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the accident.
Azli explained that the incident occurred at around 12:50 PM while the four victims were inside a lifeboat on the platform, preparing to lower it into the sea to perform maintenance work on the underside of the structure.
“However, the ropes or hooks securing the boat are believed to have suddenly snapped or given way,” he said when contacted. “This caused the boat, along with all the victims inside, to plunge into the sea.”
He said rescue teams immediately deployed to the location, successfully retrieving the victims and bringing them back up to the platform.
The victims were subsequently airlifted via helicopter to the Sultan Mahmud Airport (LTSM) in Kuala Nerus at around 4:00 PM before being rushed to the HSNZ Emergency Unit for further medical attention.
“Three of the victims were later confirmed dead, while another was severely injured,” Azli said. – May 25, 2026