By Tedong Rantayy
MIRI, Jan 16 : The body of Mohamad Iqbal, a 16-year-old student reported missing and feared drowned earlier this week, was discovered near a power plant construction site, approximately 500 metres from the shoreline.
The grim discovery was made at 7.40am on the fourth day of the search and rescue operation (SAR), according to Left Maritime Commander Safril Aza Mustapa, who addressed the media during a press conference at Kampung Kuala Batu Batu fish market today.
“The search efforts have primarily focused on land, and we had difficulties accessing this construction site for several days,” said Commander Safril.
“It was only today that workers in the area alerted us, leading to the discovery.”
The victim’s family was brought to the scene, where Mohamad Iqbal’s mother confirmed that the body belonged to her son.
With this discovery, the search and rescue operation has officially concluded.l at 10.30am.
The tragedy unfolded on Monday evening when Mohamad Iqbal, along with three friends aged 15 to 16, was bathing at a beach near Kampung Batu Satu.
The group had been at the beach since 5pm when a sudden large wave swept them into the sea.
While his companions managed to escape, Mohamad Iqbal did not resurface.
The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department’s Operations Centre received an emergency call about the incident at 6.40pm that evening, prompting the search and rescue mission.
Mohamad Iqbal, a student of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Pujut and an active member of the Kampung Batu Satu Community firefighting team, had participated in the Community Fire competition organised by Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin in Senadin last year. – DayakDaily