BAU: The 13-year-old boy feared drowned at Libiki Bamboo Resort was found dead just three hours after going missing.
According to the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), the victim, identified as Randle Rich Dunstan, was discovered by villagers at the bottom of the river, about 10 metres from where he was last seen.
“The victim was swimming with two friends at 11.45 am before he was feared to have drowned at 1.44 pm,” the department said in a statement today.
Earlier, Bomba received an emergency call at 1.44 pm, prompting the deployment of a team from the Bau Fire Station.
Upon arrival, personnel conducted a size-up at the location where the victim was believed to have gone missing.
The department then deployed its Water Rescue Unit (PPDA) at 2.00 pm to assist in the search operation within a 20-metre radius of the last known location of the victim.