PUSA, Jan 31: The body of the missing 16-year-old paddler in Sungai Beladin was found today, about 7.6 kilometers from where the deceased was last seen.
Sarawak Fire and Rescue department (Bomba) operation center in a statement said a “surface searching” method was utilised by firefighters from Bomba Betong comprising seven personnel from the Water Rescue Unit (PPDA) and two personnel from the Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) on the third day of the Search and Rescue (SAR) operation along Sungai Beladin.
“Operation commander at the location reported that the body of Muhammad Izzat Farhan Ismail, was found by the villagers at 11.40 am,” the statement said.
The deceased’s body was handed over to police for further action and the operation ended at 12.45 pm.
The search for Muhammad Izzat Farhan Ismail began last Wednesday (Jan 29) after the longboat he and 17 others were training in capsized in Sungai Beladin.
According to one of the witnesses, the incident occurred about 50 meters from the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM), where 14 of the victims managed to swim themselves safely to the riverbank while Muhammad Izzat, along with three others, were caught in the river stream.
The witness had acted quickly to help the four victims caught up in the river stream by throwing them a ship rope, but only managed to save three of them, as Muhammad Izzat failed to grab hold of the rope and was carried away by the river. —DayakDaily.
