KOTA BELUD: A family picnic turned tragic when two siblings were found drowned after being swept away by strong currents while bathing in a river near Polumpung Melangkap View Camp Site on Sunday.
Daniel Abdullah, 18, was found by members of the public at 12:04 p.m., about 200 meters from the location where he was initially reported missing, and was confirmed dead.
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The victim’s body was later sent to the Forensic Unit of Hospital Kota Belud for further action and post-mortem examination.
The victim’s older brother, Zul Hakim Abdullah, 23, was found dead at 10:18 a.m. on Saturday after becoming trapped among rocks about 300 meters from the Polumpung Camp Site area.
The Chief of the Kota Belud Fire and Rescue Station, Elge Bakuk, said the incident occurred at approximately 9:05 a.m. on Saturday when four individuals entered the river to bathe near the riverbank beneath the suspension bridge at the location.
According to him, the Search and Rescue (SAR) operation was carried out around the river using surface water search methods and inspections along the riverbanks.
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During the incident, both victims were believed to have been swept away by strong currents before rescue attempts by family members and members of the public failed.
It is understood that the victims, along with 15 family members and friends, had come to the recreational area from Kampung Warisan Inanam, Kota Kinabalu for leisure activities.
Following this, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Malaysia Civil Defence Force (APM), and Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (JBPM) launched a SAR operation to locate both victims.
The operation involved a total of 40 personnel from the civil defence force, fire department, police, and members of the public, using various assets including ambulances, four-wheel-drive vehicles, rafting boats, and drones.
Authorities stated that rainy weather conditions and strong river currents were believed to be among the contributing factors to the incident.
