KAPIT: The search and rescue (SAR) operation for the last victim of the boat tragedy at Batang Baleh has been intensified with additional assistance from canine units.
The Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) and Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) K9 units, along with the PDRM drone unit, have been deployed to aid in locating Constable (PC) Iskandar Ibrahim, 28, who is still missing.
In addition, the Bomba Zone 4 diving team has been placed on standby to provide assistance as needed.
At the time of writing, the operation, which entered its seventh day (March 13), remains ongoing.
Forty-five rescuers from various agencies, including PDRM, Sibu marine police, Civil Defence Force (APM), Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB), and Resident’s Office, are involved in the operation with four boats.
According to a statement by Kapit OCPD DSP Rohana Nanu, the tragic incident occurred on March 7 around 5pm when five passengers boarded a boat carrying 35kg of explosives and detonators from Kuching to Nanga Tulie.
“Upon reaching the area, the boat veered slightly upstream and encountered swirling water, leading to its capsizing.
“One passenger, identified as 47-year-old Moses Ngui, was rescued by members of the public, while the remaining four went missing,” she said.
The four missing individuals were identified as PC Iskandar, 51-year-old Sgt Jonathan Lambet, and civilians 44-year-old Jack Balan and 47-year-old Amerson John Nain.
On March 9, authorities successfully located and recovered the bodies of Sgt Jonathan, Jack, and Amerson from three separate locations.
The first discovery was made when Jack’s body was found floating in Pulau Kerto waters around 10am.
Amerson’s body was subsequently discovered afloat in Batang Lebaan around 12pm, followed by Sgt Jonathan’s body, which was spotted floating near the Kapit market around 4pm.
