20-8-2024 (KUCHING) A routine river crossing in Sarawak, Malaysia, turned into a nightmare on Tuesday morning when a boat carrying 20 people, including 18 secondary school students, capsized in the waters near Kuching. The incident has sparked a desperate search and rescue operation, with three students initially reported missing.
The ill-fated journey began at 6:10 am when the sampan, a traditional flat-bottomed boat, set off across the river. On board were students from SMK Senibong, accompanied by a boatman and an adult female. This river crossing is a daily necessity for villagers and students alike, as it provides the sole route to the other side of the waterway.
Tragedy struck as the boat began to sink, triggering immediate rescue efforts. While most passengers were swiftly brought to safety, three students couldn’t be accounted for: a 16-year-old boy and two girls aged 14 and 17.
The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department sprang into action upon receiving the distress call at 6:33 am. A team of seven firefighters from the Lundu Fire and Rescue Station was promptly dispatched to the scene, marking the beginning of an intensive search operation.
As the morning progressed, a glimmer of hope emerged. By 10 am, local residents had located one of the missing students, 16-year-old Abraham Nyoeng, safe and sound. This discovery has bolstered efforts to find the two remaining missing girls, Alsma Jithil, 14, and Helena Fasha Petrus, 17.
The search and rescue operation has evolved into a community effort, with villagers joining forces with specialised units and rescue dogs to scour the river and its banks. The determination to find the missing students is palpable as the search continues.
Authorities are now grappling with questions surrounding the cause of the accident. Investigations are underway to determine whether overloading or damage to the sampan might have contributed to the tragic incident.
