By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, June 9: A 74-year-old man is feared to have fallen into the Batang Kayan river after his empty boat was found spinning and crashing into the riverbank near Kampung Sileng, Lundu this morning.
The victim, identified as Awang Bosman Awang Jibi, was reported missing after he had gone out alone to cast his fishing net along the river near Loba Batang Lama earlier in the day.
According to the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) in a report, members of the public who passed by the river noticed the victim’s boat moving aimlessly and bumping against the riverbank, prompting fears that he might have fallen overboard.
The victim was nowhere to be seen, and his family lodged a police report at the Lundu District Police Headquarters (IPD) after he failed to return home.
Following the report, Bomba dispatched a Search and Rescue (SAR) team from the Lundu fire station to the location at around 11.20am.
The operation, led by Lundu Fire Station chief PBT I Joseph Diea, involved seven personnel, equipped with a fire rescue tender (FRT), emergency medical rescue service (EMRS) unit, a Hilux vehicle, and a rescue boat.
As of the time of reporting, Awang Bosman has yet to be found and SAR operations are still ongoing. Authorities urge anyone with information or who may have seen the victim earlier today to contact the nearest police or fire station. – DayakDaily
