SONG, Feb 13: Strong river waves had caused a longboat to sink in Nanga Sungai Song late last night.
Song District Police Chief DSP Rowney Michael Jalak said the boat carrying seven passengers, including a two-year-old girl, sank after it was hit by strong waves caused by the phenomenon of the waves from the Song River and the Rajang River colliding at the river mouth.
“All the victims fell into the river while one of them is still missing,” he said today.
He said the missing man, 35, has been classified as a missing person in the case.
Rowney said a search and rescue (SAR) operation was carried out at 12.15 midnight last night but had to be stopped at 2am for safety reasons due to the strong current of the Rajang River and dark conditions.
SAR resumed at 8am today.
Rowney said the SAR operation involved 21 people including six police officers from the Song District Police Headquarters (IPD), five personnel from the Song Fire and Rescue Station (BBP), four officers from the Ministry of Health (KKM) and six civilians.
Based on preliminary information, he said, the seven travellers comprised five males and two females.
He confirmed that six people survived the incident.
He also confirmed the seven victims were travelling to Song town from Rumah Ekeh, Nanga Apan when the accident happened around 11pm.
“The two adult male victims who were reported unconscious in the incident are said to be in a stable condition now,” he added. — DayakDaily
