Search resumes for 8 people missing after boat capsize in Sarawak

The search resumed Sunday for the eight villagers missing after a longboat carrying 27 people capsized in Daro, about 150 km southwest of here, on Saturday, resulting in the drowning of three women.

Wet weather is slowing down the search and rescue for the eight passengers still missing after their boat capsized in rural Sarawak.

Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Wira Muhammad Sabtu Osman said Sunday the morning rain prevented a helicopter from being dispatched from Kuching to the accident site, about 500km away.

He said operations presently involved the police, marine police, Fire and Rescue Department and People's Volunteer Corps aided by 14 boats from nearby villages.

According to the operations centre, 81 personnel are participating in the search.

On a related matter, Sabtu told reporters in Kuching today that media reports of six bodies found was wrong.

"The situation has not changed: It is three bodies recovered, all females.

“Sixteen were rescued - nine females and seven males.

“The eight missing are five males and three females," Sabtu said after a meet-and-greet session at a market here.

He said reports that included the names of the dead of missing passengers were also inaccurate.

"All efforts are on the search. Investigation will come later. We cannot say how it happened other than the weather could have been in bad shape at the time.

“It has been suggested the boat was overloaded but the police are not going to confirm this now. Let us search first."

The search operations resumed at 7.30am Sunday.

The three bodies recovered so far have been retrieved by their family members.

Personnel from the Department of Civil Defence, the Police, People's Volunteer Corps (Rela), Sarawak Rivers Board and nearby villagers are also helping in the search.

The longboat capsized at about 1 pm after being hit by a huge wave as it was cruising in the Batang Lassa near Kampung Kut, carrying 27 villagers from Kampung Tekajong on their way home after attending a wedding in Kampung Saai.

Sunday 19 January 2014

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