JOHOR BARU: The body of navy Leading Seaman I Arman San Hermansa was claimed by his wife here a day after he drowned in salvage operation for the sunken KD Pendekar off Johor's coast.
Norazliana Bakri, 25, claimed her husband's body at the Forensic Medical Department at Sultan Ismail Hospital (HSI) here.
A Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) hearse carrying the RMN Mine Clearance Diver's body was seen leaving the hospital's forensic medical department at Sultan Ismail Hospital (HSI) here at 12.50pm.
Earlier, the coffin was carried by the RMN Pallbearer Team to be placed inside the hearse.
The body of Arman, 28, will be taken to Senai International Airport (LTAS) before being flown to Tawau , Sabah, on a Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) aircraft.
His body is expected to be buried in his hometown in Lahad Datu, Sabah.
Approximately 100 family members, RMN officers and personnel, as well as friends of the deceased, gathered at the HSI Forensic Medical Department as early as 8am today.
Yesterday, Leading Seaman I Arman San from the Naval Diving and Mine Warfare Command (NDMWC) drowned during the salvage operation of KD Pendekar, which was reported to have sunk after experiencing a leak believed to have been caused by colliding with an underwater object on Aug25 in the waters off Tanjung Penyusop, Kota Tinggi.
The Strategic Communications Division of the Navy Headquarters, in a statement yesterday, said a Special Board of Inquiry has been established to identify the cause of the incident.
KD Pendekar was reported to have been completely submerged, but the swift action of the maritime community successfully rescued all 39 crew members before it sank, with no injuries reported.