SIBU, Nov 9: A 60-year-old man is feared to have drowned during a fishing outing in Sungai Lebaan, about 30km from here.
The man has been identified as Ing Chung Kiew.
Sibu Central Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) chief Suna Kahar said his station had received a distress call at 3.40pm yesterday from a friend of the missing person, who had failed to return home.
“Based on the information that we received, the victim is said to have gone fishing with a friend at the river on Sunday evening. At 10am the next morning, the friend contacted the victim’s wife telling her that her husband was believed to have drowned while picking up items left behind on the other side of the river where he was fishing,” he said.
The victim’s wife and his friend then went to the scene, but failed to find him.
They subsequently lodged a police report regarding the missing victim. His 52-year-old wife said she last saw him wearing a blue T-shirt and jeans.
“We have activated our search and rescue (SAR) operation at 4.14opm yesterday. However, we had to call it off at 6.15pm as it was getting dark,” said Suna.
The SAR resumed earlier today, but as at press time no sign of the missing man has been found.
