A boy's desire to celebrate Family Day at Kampung Balik Batu, Tanjung Bidara, Alor Gajah, ended in tragedy when he drowned at noon Sunday.

The Malaysian Civil Defence Forces (APM) said the body of Muhammad Hamdani Mohd Asri,16, was found by rescuers and civilians about 20 metres from the beach at 12.30pm.

"The APM received a call from the Melaka Tengah Control Centre at 10.40am and arrived at the scene at around 11.15am," said a statement, here Sunday.

The victim's brother, Redzuan Ariff, 24, was rescued by visitors to the beach resort at 11am and taken straight to Alor Gajah Hospital.

Other agencies involved in the rescue mission were the the Fire and Rescue Department, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and the Police.

Alor Gajah police chief Supt A. Asmadi Abdul Aziz confirmed the incident and said the body had been sent to Alor Gajah Hospital and that the case had been classified as sudden death. - BERNAMA