No more reports on persons missing in tragedy

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BINTULU: The police have confirmed that up till yesterday, there was no new report of persons missing after an express passenger boat capsized in Sungai Anap, Ulu Tatau last Monday.

Tatau police chief DSP Wan Zaizodin Wan Jaafar said claims that three more victims have not been found were just rumours.

“There have been no reports (from the victims’ families). All bodies have been accounted for,” he said. Zaizodin who is in-charge of the search and rescue (SAR) operation said all rescuers involved have left the scene.

Some 74 rescuers were involved in the operation that was called off at 2pm yesterday.

Regarding the express boat skipper, Zaizodin said Ting Neng Siik, 58, had been placed under four-day remand to facilitate a probe into his conduct under Section 304A of the Penal Code.

Ting surrendered to the police on Monday night.

Zaizodin said the recording of witnesses’ statements was being carried out.

All the bodies of the victims at Bintulu Hospital mortuary have been claimed by the family members. The last body claimed at 5am yesterday was that of 23-year-old Undah Engkamat.

The October 18 tragedy saw 13 people killed when the boat from Tatau negotiated a river bend near Kelebu timber camp, 60 kilometres from here at 2.30pm and rammed into a steel cable strung between a tugboat and a barge. The victims were Amelia Peter, 3, Peter Julan, 28, Alicia Emelda, 5, Jau Deng, 43, Empam Untam, (age unknown), Lenny Ibin, 10, Undah Engkamat, 23, Bermas Nyuin, 26, Lily Manggie, 38, Wilfred Ukir Salleh, 56, Wong Sing Guan, 21, Jennifer Yak, 10-month and Miyas Renggan, 75.

The 17 survivors are Zamhari Azmi, 39; Chai Ngim Fat, 39; Mohamad Dol, 44; Agnes Oliver Sumping, 2; Hellena Mena, 3; Jackson Ujik, 39; Silvia Jackson Kasim, 21; Emila Jackson, 1; Lio Jok, 50; Dayang Rezalina, 27; Silo Gerenang, 58; Ebie Biju, 35; Sim Chi Liang.