GEORGE TOWN: Three hours after the body of a 33-year-old man was found floating near the Penang Bridge, another body was found floating underneath the Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge on Thursday (Oct 28).

       The body of the 20-year-old man who was feared to have drowned after falling from the bridge was found floating by local fishermen at about 1.30pm.

       State MMEA director Capt Abd Razak Mohamed said local fishermen contacted the Penang Malaysia Maritime operation centre to inform them about the discovery.

       "Upon receiving information, a Perkasa 1221 boat was deployed together with other agencies to the location where the body was found," he said in a statement.

       Capt Abd Razak said the body was found floating at the pier number 80 of the Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge, and added the victim's body was brought to the Batu Uban marine police jetty.

       Police verified the identity of the deceased as the person who had fallen from the bridge on Tuesday (Oct 26).

       He said with the discovery, the search and rescue operation, in its third day, was called off at about 4.15pm by the Langkawi Maritime Rescue Subcentre (MRSC).

       On Tuesday (Oct 26), the 20-year-old man was believed to have fallen from the bridge at KM12.6 of the Batu Maung-bound lane at 2.47am.

       Capt Abdul Razak thanked the Fire and Rescue Department and Batu Uban marine police for helping MMEA in the operation.

       The public can contact the MMEA hotline at 04-262 6146 or MERS 999 to provide information on maritime offences or emergencies.

       Those needed psychological support can reach out to the Mental Health Psychosocial Support Service at 03-2935 9935 or 014-322 3392; Talian Kasih at 15999 or 019-261 5999; Jakim’s family, social and community care centre at 0111-959 8214; and Befrienders Kuala Lumpur at 03-7627 2929, or go to befrienders.org.my/centre-in-malaysia for a full list of numbers nationwide and operating hours, or email sam@befrienders.org.my.