Afternoon swim turns deadly as strong currents pull three men under; one survives the ordeal.
What began as a casual outing turned into tragedy for three men at Pulau Mawar in Endau, Johor, after strong currents claimed two lives, including that of a Singaporean national. The incident prompted a large-scale rescue effort involving multiple agencies.
Pulau Mawar, located roughly 30 minutes from Mersing town, is a scenic coastal spot popular with visitors. On April 7, 2025, became the site of a tragic drowning involving three men. The men—believed to be acquaintances from Johor Bahru—were caught in unexpectedly strong currents while swimming at approximately 2.37pm. Local authorities received the alert and mobilised rescue teams immediately.
Two Dead, One Survives After Ocean Sweeps Trio
According to Senior Operations Commander Mohd Alias Hussin of the Endau Fire and Rescue Station, one man—K. Anpananthan, 39, a local Malaysian—managed to save himself. However, Yogaraj Veeran, a 37-year-old Singaporean, was found unconscious and floating near the shoreline by passers-by. Despite public efforts to revive him, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Rescue teams launched an immediate search for the third man, identified as Narayanan Ravi, a 45-year-old Indian national. His body was discovered later that evening around 300 metres from the site where he vanished, bringing the hours-long operation to a somber conclusion at 6.21pm.
A seven-member fire and rescue team had been deployed using a Light Fire Rescue Tender (LFRT) and Hilux vehicle, arriving at the location by 2.56pm. Surface searching techniques were employed to locate the last missing individual, with the help of local volunteers and other emergency agencies.
Parallel Tragedy in Seremban Adds to Grief
In a separate but equally tragic incident, a 35-year-old Myanmar national drowned while fishing at Kampung Sega Hilir River in Seremban. The victim fell into the river on April 6 and was only found a day later, 3.5 kilometres downstream. The operation, involving 49 personnel including local police and fire units, was hindered by rising river levels caused by heavy rain.
The body was recovered at 4.55pm on April 7 and sent to Rembau Hospital for further examination. The victim had been on a recreational trip with his younger brother and two friends near the Sungai Linggi Water Treatment Plant when the accident occurred.
These incidents highlight the hidden dangers of coastal and riverine activities, especially in areas where weather and water conditions can rapidly deteriorate. For regional visitors, including those from Singapore, they serve as a painful reminder to exercise extreme caution when swimming or fishing in unfamiliar natural environments, regardless of how calm they may appear.
Sources: Malay Mail (2025), Bernama (2025), The New Paper (2025)
Keywords: Pulau Mawar Johor, Singaporean Drowns Malaysia, Indian National Drowns, Strong Current Tragedy
