TANJUNG MANIS: The bodies of the remaining five victims who were reported missing following a boat capsize near Belawai Beach, Kampung Belawai, were recovered early this morning.
As the search and rescue (SAR) operation entered its third day, all five victims — men aged between 21 and 51 — were discovered at different locations between 6.50 am and 8.30 am.
This morning’s discovery of the remaining five bodies brings the total death toll to 10.
Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) said the tragic incident occurred on July 5, involving a fibre-type boat carrying Indonesian nationals including daily necessities from the Kampung Belawai fishermen’s jetty to the coconut plantation jetty (Pelita Zone).
The boat capsized before reaching its destination.
“A distress call was received on July 5 at 2.11 pm and initial efforts rescued seven people, consisting of four adult males, two adult females and a young boy,” it said in a statement.
The department said four victims – aged five, seven, 28, and 50 – were confirmed dead on the same day of the incident.
“Meanwhile, a three-year-old boy was recovered on the second day of the SAR yesterday,” it said.
During the extensive SAR, a total of 21 fire and rescue personnel were deployed, including those from Tanjung Manis, Sungai Merah, Sibu, Betong, and the K9 Unit with sniffer dog, Bella.
Support was provided by multiple agencies including the police, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), Civil Defence Force (APM), Sarawak Rivers Board, People’s Volunteer Corps (RELA), Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit (UPKS) and and 47 villagers using 21 boats.
