Bodies of 2 drowned victims found hours apart from each other

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Members of the SAR team prepare to send the remains of Mohd Hanis to the operation centre.

Members of the SAR team prepare to send the remains of Mohd Hanis to the operation centre.

Fire and Rescue officer Terry Robson (left) is seen briefing Len (second right) and others at the SAR operation centre.

Fire and Rescue officer Terry Robson (left) is seen briefing Len (second right) and others at the SAR operation centre.

Armi’s remains being taken to the SAR operation centre.

Armi’s remains being taken to the SAR operation centre.

SIBU: The bodies of a man and a boy who were swept away by strong waves at Belawai Beach about 85km from here on Monday were found yesterday, hours apart from each other.

The body of Mohd Hanis Tajuddin, 16, was found by longhouse residents about 6.30am at Tanjung Tebujok, Sungai Sebayang in Batang Belawai, 15km from Belawai Beach.

The body of 27-year-old Armi Armira Pandita was found ashore at 12.17pm by fishermen in Sungai Sebayang about 2km from where he and the boy were reported missing.

The search and rescue (SAR) team has called off the operation, which entered its third day yesterday, after the find.

The SAR team comprised Fire and Rescue Department, Rela, Police and Civil Defence Department. Search was launched immediately after receiving reports on their missing.

Armi and Mohd Hanis together with two other friends Azlan Suria, 16, and Ahmad Mansor, 17, were having a picnic at the beach before the incident happened at 5.45pm. All four were from Kampung Jerijih in Sarikei Division.

It was reported that Armi tried to pull Mohd Hanis to safety when strong waves hit them and swept them out to the sea.

Both bodies were later taken to Sibu Hospital.

Belawai assemblyman and Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office Datu Len Talif also visited the SAR operation centre in Belawai yesterday.