Express Bahagia 98 runs aground off Kuala Perlis; 251 passengers evacuated

Malay Mail reported on 21 October 2026, in an account first published at 6:50 pm MYT and credited to Bernama, that 251 passengers aboard the Express Bahagia 98 ferry from Langkawi were safely evacuated at 2.50 pm after the ship ran aground on a sandbank near the entrance to the Kuala Perlis Passenger Ferry Terminal that morning.

Langkawi Ferry Line Ventures operations manager Lt Cmdr (R) Norhafiz Abdul Wahid said all passengers, together with their luggage, were successfully evacuated with the assistance of security teams and relevant agencies, and that all 10 crew members were also safe. He said the evacuation was carried out with the Kuala Perlis Marine Police, the Kuala Perlis Fishermen's Association and Sea Splash Travel Sdn Bhd after two attempts to tow the ferry, using Feri Kenangan 6 and Langkawi Auto Express 1, failed because the sea level was falling.

He said the ferry departed Langkawi at 9.30am and ran aground at about 10.35am near Buoy No 1 in Kuala Perlis, when the captain took evasive action to avoid a fishing net stretched across the shipping channel. Both main engines were stopped during the manoeuvre, and wind then caused the vessel to drift onto the sandbank. Efforts to refloat the ferry were scheduled for around 7pm, when the sea level was expected to rise again. The company apologised to passengers and other affected parties.