Fire and rescue director-general Nor Hisham Mohammad said a big operation was activated this morning within a one-kilometre radius from where Izwan had fallen.

A team would carry out a search underwater while the K9 dog unit and drones will be used on shore. Altogether 50 people are involved, with nine boats from the department, police and local fishermen.

Izwan, a veteran of 19 years with the department, is also a member of the underwater rescue team of the Butterworth fire and rescue station.

His wife, Jamaliah Abd Majid, 42, said she was informed at about 11pm last night and fainted on hearing the news.

“Since early morning, I was apprehensive because during night shifts, my husband would call me between 9pm and 10pm to ask about the children but last night until 11pm there were no calls from him,” she said.