KUCHING, Jan 1: Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing will be looking into the root causes of the ferry incident that happened in Sebuyau earlier today.
He said he himself, with Assistant Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development Datuk Julaihi Narawi, Public Works Department (JKR) and Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB) staff members would be visiting the Triso Ferry Jetty tomorrow (Jan 2) for an investigation.
At the same time, he showed his regrets for such an unfortunate event to happen on the first day of the New Year.
“My assistant minister Datuk Julaihi Narawi, JKR and Sarawak Rivers Board staff are going with me to the site of accident tomorrow to find out the causes of one of the most unfortunate ferry accidents in Sarawak.
“On behalf of the government, I’m sending our deepest condolences to the victims and their families,” he said in a statement today.
Masing, who is also Deputy Chief Minister was referring to the tragedy of nine fatalities at the ferry wharf including two young children after their 4-wheel-drive (4WD) rolled off the ferry and sank into the water.
Though members of the public rushed to rescue at first sight of the sinking vehicle, the victims were already unresponsive and unconscious when they were pulled out from the waters and given cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
When the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) Saratok and Simunjan teams arrived at the site, the nine victims consisting five men and four women were confirmed to have been killed in the incident.—DayakDaily
