By DayakDaily Team
BINTULU, Nov 24: A search and rescue (SAR) operation concluded today with the recovery of the body of an 18-year-old boy who drowned while playing in the waters at Batu Mandi Beach yesterday evening (Nov 23).
The victim, Valentino Austin Richie, was a resident of Amoi Rental House in Bintulu.
According to a report by the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), the SAR operation, which entered its second day today, began early in the morning.
“At 9.15am, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) team located a body 1.5 kilometres from the initial search area.
“The Bomba team assisted in transferring the body from the Marine Police’s boat to the Bintulu Wharf, where the victim’s identity was confirmed by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) at 11.15am, marking the conclusion of the operation,” it said.
Valentino was last seen wearing blue, white, and green checkered pants. — DayakDaily
