Three contractor personnel died during a lifeboat maintenance incident at the Floating Storage and Offloading (FSO) Sepat platform off Terengganu-Kelantan waters on May 24, 2026 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]. The accident happened around 12:50 p.m. when the rope or hook securing the lifeboat suddenly detached, causing the lifeboat and all four personnel on board to plunge into the sea [2, 3, 8, 9, 6, 7]. "The rope or hook attached to the boat is believed to have detached suddenly. The boat, along with all victims, fell into the sea," said Kuala Terengganu District Police Chief Assistant Commissioner Azli Mohd Noor [8].
The four workers were quickly airlifted by helicopter from the platform to Sultan Mahmud Airport and rushed to Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital in Kuala Terengganu later that afternoon [1, 4, 8, 6, 7]. Three men were pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. The injured worker remains in critical condition with serious fractures and other injuries [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 6, 7].
The deceased were identified as Ahmad Fiqri Zakaria (38), Muhammad Faezuan Hakim Mohammad Bustamam (28), and Nik Muhammad Hafifi Asri Ab Majid (37 or 38) [3, 8, 9, 10, 6, 7]. The injured worker is Mohd Taufik Mohd Ruslan, 37, who is receiving treatment at the same hospital [3, 8, 9, 10, 11, 6, 7].
A post-mortem examination conducted the following morning revealed the causes of death as severe abdominal and neck injuries from impact, along with drowning [12]. Police have classified the case as sudden death and an investigation involving relevant authorities is ongoing [1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 6, 7]. Petronas and government officials have said they will pursue a thorough probe to determine the exact circumstances [1, 2, 7].
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim expressed condolences to the families and urged safety improvements across workplace operations. "My condolences to all the victims' families, and I pray that they are given strength and resilience in facing this extremely difficult ordeal. I also pray that those receiving treatment are granted a speedy recovery," he said [10].
The Human Resources Ministry confirmed the families of the deceased are eligible for benefits from Malaysia's Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) [11].
