Relatives of the passengers of the ill-fated boat that capsized in Batang Lassa wait patiently as 100 Fire and Rescue personnel from Mukah, Sungai Merah and Sibu stations conduct the search and rescue operation. — Bernama photo
Search and rescue operation continues for passengers unaccounted for in Saturday’s Daro boat tragedy
SIBU: Search and rescue (SAR) personnel yesterday recovered another body from the ill-fated longboat that capsized in Batang Lassa on Saturday as grief-stricken families await news of the seven passengers still missing.
The remains of Nursiah Abdullah, 40, were spotted by Civil Defence Department (JPAM) personnel at 2.46pm near the tragedy site and about 15 metres from the river banks of Kampung Kut.
This brings the tally of those drowned in the 1.30pm tragedy to four.
Besides Nursiah, whose body has been taken to Daro Hospital’s mortuary, the others who drowned when the longboat flipped in bad weather conditions while carrying a wedding entourage of 27 people are Melati Zerae, 50, Kekiah Kipli, 47, and Meliah Murni, aged 55.
All four are women.
Still missing are Bolihan Berdan, 65, Pipi Dalol, 60, Madini Akim, 55, Abu Bakar Mahli, 62, Naibi Saibi, 60, (all males), Kalsum Mat, 50, and Ibong Rais, 60.
The 40-foot by seven-foot longboat, which has a 30-passenger capacity, was heading towards Kampung Tekajong after the wedding reception at Kampung Saai when it capsized in choppy waters. It is understood that it was high tide and raining heavily at the time of the incident.
Upon hearing of frantic yelling for help, Kampung Kut villagers immediately sprang into action and managed to pluck 16 of them out to safety.
The SAR operation that got underway after the Fire and Rescue Services Department (Bomba) Mukah was alerted by Malacca at 1.52pm was called off when darkness fell and they camped at Kampung Kut.
The operation, comprising personnel from Bomba, police, Sarawak River Board (SRB), JPAM and others, resumed their operation shortly after 7am yesterday.
Kampung Kut, Kampung Tekajong and Kampung Saai are all nestled in Pulau Bruit at the mouth of the mighty Rajang River, and villagers in all these three villagers remained shell-shocked by what had happened.
Some of the villagers told reporters that they had never been through such suffering, and a number of villagers who were working outstation had rushed home to be with their loved ones and the grief-stricken families.
They all held a vigil on Saturday night in the spirit of neighbourhood, and at daybreak they went to the jetties and SAR operation centre to get updates.
At press time, Daro police chief DSP Wagner Lisa Liput, who heads the SAR operation from its ad hoc base in Kampung Kut, said all the teams were still out in the choppy waters looking for those still missing.
At press time, he said the weather had not been good, and if it worsened they might abode the mission for the day.
For updates, call 084-823263.