by DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Nov 6: A 21-year-old Indian man has been reported missing and is feared drowned in the Baram River near Kuala Tutoh, an area reportedly inhabited by several crocodiles.
According to the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), the victim was part of a ship’s crew and was last seen swimming near the riverbank around 4pm on Wednesday (Nov 5).
It was reported that the victim was bathing in the river when a storm caused his vessel to drift toward the middle of the river. He reportedly attempted to swim back to the ship, which was about 30 metres from shore, but disappeared from sight shortly after.
“While swimming, the victim suddenly disappeared from the view of witnesses and did not have time to be given ‘buoy assistance’. During the incident, no action was taken to jump into the river to save the victim because the area was said to have been inhabited by four crocodiles before,” it said.
The depth of the river at the location is estimated to be about nine metres.
Following a report lodged by the Marudi District Police (IPD Marudi) at 7.55pm on Nov 5, firefighters from the Marudi Fire and Rescue Station (BBP Marudi) launched a search and rescue (SAR) operation early this morning at 7.30am.
Personnel from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) were also present at the location to assist in the search.
The operation involved the use of a grappling iron to scour the last known location of the victim in the river. As of press time, the victim has yet to be found. – DayakDaily
