A teenage boy is feared to have drowned when he was swept away by strong current while swimming with his younger brother at Pantai Miami, Batu Feringhi near here today.

In the incident around noon, the victim, Muhamad Firdaus Abdul Gani, 18, was swept away by strong current while his brother, Muhamad Naim, 16, managed to be rescued by members of the public who were picnicking in the area.

Northeast District deputy police chief Supt Izwan Abdul Karim said the siblings had come to the beach for a picnic with their family who came from Taman Keenways, Bukit Mertajam.

"A search and rescue (SAR) operation is underway to locate the missing victim. The SAR team comprising the Fire and Rescue Department, Maritime Enforcement Agency, Civil Defence Force and the Marine Police also involved the use of three boats and four kayaks," he said today.

The victim's mother, Noorain Md Noor, 48, said Muhamad Naim had been sent for further treatment to the Intensive Care Unit of the Penang Hospital and was now reportedly in stable condition.

She also hoped that her eldest son who was feared drowned would be found.

-- BERNAMA