SIBU: The search and rescue (SAR) operation to locate two teenagers feared drowned in a river during a leisure activity near Durin town here on Friday has been expanded to a 2-kilometre radius from the boys’ last known location.
Sibu Fire and Rescue Department Zone 4 chief Andy Alie said that the efforts to find Justin Siaw and Kong Wei Seng had been unsuccessful thus far.
“Our SAR team received assistance from the residents, marine police, and Civil Defence Force members,” said Andy.
In addition, two divers from Bomba’s Water Rescue Unit (PPDA) conducted their initial dive around 2.10 pm yesterday.
According to Andy, the dive search radius spans approximately 10 square metres from the location where the victims were last seen. The ground conditions were muddy and uneven. There is no obstruction that could have caused the victims to become trapped.
On the fateful day, the two teenagers, aged 14 and 15, had gone for a swim in the river around 5 pm with another friend. Tragically, all three were swept away by the strong river current. Despite one of them being able to swim, their attempt to rescue Siaw and Kong proved unsuccessful.
The search operation commenced later that day but had to be called off due to darkness a few hours later. As of press time, the search is still ongoing.
