MARUDI: The search for the victims of a capsized boat in the Baram River ended today after the body of the final victim, Ceria, was recovered.
Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) said the body of 43-year-old Ceria Dullah was found by members of the public at about 5 am near Long Miri, approximately 94km from the suspected capsize site.
Following the discovery, a search and rescue team from Marudi station was deployed at 7.50 am to retrieve the body.
“The team later used a boat belonging to villagers to bring the remains from the riverbank to shore at about 11.29 am.
“The recovery of the victim’s body brought the search and rescue (SAR) operation, which began on July 21, to an end, with all four victims confirmed deceased,” it said.
The victims, all from Kampung Long Selatong, were believed to have been travelling by boat to Long San Health Clinic on July 20 when their vessel capsized along the Baram River.
The victims were identified as Ceria, her husband 38-year-old Joshua Uken Mathew, their four-year-old son Jovian Jangin Joshua, and the boatman, 45-year-old Jonathan Nyurang Lusut.
The incident came to light after the four failed to return home and could not be reached by phone, prompting worried family members to alert the authorities.
Police received a report at about 11.20am on July 21 after members of the public informed them via WhatsApp that the villagers had been missing since the previous day.
Villagers later discovered the overturned boat in Sungai Seperot, raising fears that the occupants had been swept away by the river.
The first victim recovered was Jovian, whose body was found by villagers on July 21 and taken to the Long San Health Clinic.
On July 22, firefighters from the Marudi station travelled about five hours through logging roads to reach the remote location.
Before arriving at the scene, villagers informed the team that Joshua’s body had been found on a riverbank at about 8.50 am, around two hours by boat from the suspected capsize location.
Firefighters later used a villagers’ boat to recover Joshua’s body before bringing it ashore.
The following day, the body of Jonathan was found, leaving only Ceria missing until her recovery today.
The SAR operation involved Bomba, police, the Health Ministry, local villagers and the K9 SAR unit.
