KAPIT: The body of a 25-year-old man who went missing after a wooden boat capsized in the Rajang River was recovered on Sunday morning (March 15), ending a two-day search and rescue (SAR) operation by emergency responders.
The victim, identified as Brando Jawi Mamba, was found near the wharf terminal to Belaga, in front of Kapit Town Square, at about 7.30 am.
Authorities said the discovery followed information from members of the public who spotted a body floating near the riverfront and alerted the police.
Search teams from the Fire and Rescue Department were then dispatched to the location to verify the report.
Rescuers retrieved the body from the water and transported it by boat to the Wharf Kubu jetty before handing it over to police for further procedures.
The SAR operation was officially called off at 8.20 am.
According to the Fire and Rescue Department’s operations centre, the incident began on Friday evening when a small wooden boat carrying five people capsized in the Rajang River.
The group had been travelling from Rumah Bunsi in Kampung Atas Kubu along Jalan Sri Baleh towards a parking area for tongkang vessels near the Night Street market wharf in Kapit Town.
One of the survivors told police that the boat overturned after being struck by strong waves while they were crossing the river at about 7 pm.
Four of the passengers managed to swim to safety. They were later identified as Saing Agop, Joshua Jelian, Doreen Duri Ramping and the informant who lodged the police report.
However, Brando was unable to be located after the vessel capsized despite initial attempts by those on board to find him in the water.
The case was subsequently reported to the authorities, prompting a SAR operation involving firefighters from the Kapit fire station.
Eight personnel were deployed for the operation, supported by one fire engine, a Hilux utility vehicle and an aluminium rescue boat.
Police and members of the Civil Defence Force also assisted in the search effort along the stretch of the Rajang River near Kapit Town.
Officials said the body was discovered roughly within the search perimeter near the riverfront wharf area.
Brando, who was from Rumah Kawin Nanga Peraran along Sungai Katibas in Song district, was later confirmed dead.
Authorities have not released further details on the circumstances leading to the incident.
Police are expected to continue investigations into the case.
