KOTA KINABALU: A man has been found dead while his son remains missing after their fishing boat was apparently struck by lightning in the waters of Dinawan Island, off Kinarut near here, on Wednesday (Aug 18).

       Mohd Nasir Abdul Nasir, 62, and his son Abdullah, in his 20s, had gone out fishing late Wednesday afternoon and were reported missing when they failed to return home that evening.

       It is learnt that they had told their family they would not be long.

       There was lightning and rain while they were out at sea.

       Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) Sabah and Labuan director First Admiral Datuk Mohd Rosli Abdullah said they received a call about the missing duo at around 6.45pm and a search was mounted at 8pm.

       Local fishermen who had started searching for the missing duo earlier found Mohd Nasir's body, but there was no sign of Abdullah.

       Mohd Rosli said their boat was believed to have been struck by lighting before going missing, based on what the fishermen told them.

       “The search for Abdullah continues, in a search area within 50 nautical miles of what we believe was their last position," he said.

       Mohd Rosli reminded local fishermen to wear lifejackets at all times when out on the water and to make sure that their vessels' safety features were functioning well.