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A Singaporean man has disappeared after falling from a freighter in US waters. Based on Independent, Muhammad Furqan Mohamed Rashid fell from a boat 22 kilometers off Point Conception, California. The US Coast Guard did not name the man, but friends shared a moving message Wednesday, including a photo. The 25-year-old went through qualifying training to become a junior officer and was “filled with hope and joy”, his friend Muhammad Fariz said on Facebook.
“I come before you today with a heavy heart, asking for your support and prayers for a dear friend currently lost at sea. It is with deep concern and despair that I reach out to each of you, humbly asking for your thoughts, prayers and positive energy during this very difficult time,” Fariz said in the post.
“Search and rescue efforts are in full swing, but the vastness of the ocean has made the task difficult and complicated,” he added.
The Singaporean Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) announced on Thursday that it had contacted Furqan’s family.
Based on Independenta 65ft freighter is traveling from China to Long Beach.
Asian News Channel (ANC) citing officials as saying the rescue operation was halted after searching for the missing crew members by air and sea for nearly 15 hours.
“The decision to suspend an active search is never easy and is only made after exhaustive efforts to locate a missing person,” Chief Warrant Officer John Rose said.
“We send our deepest condolences to the friends and family of these crew members,” the official added.
Mr Furqan’s family was informed of his departure on Wednesday, his brother Fathul Islam told local media.
Mr Islam described his younger brother as an “honest and sincere” worker who takes his job “very seriously”.
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