KUCHING: The Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) has identified 18 locations of drowning hotspots nationwide.
Bomba director-general Datuk Seri Mohammad Hamdan Wahid explained that these areas recorded up to more than five drowning cases within three years.
“Five of these hotspots are located in Sarawak, including Batang Igan, Sungai Mulu, Sungai Batu Keling and Pulau Sari,” he said at a press conference here on Monday (April 25).
He disclosed that according to Bomba statistics, some 300 drowning cases were recorded nationwide last year.
“Most of the victims were children, schoolchildren, teenagers or youths because they were prone to participate in dangerous water sports.”
He said most of the drowning cases also involved outsiders who had gone to recreational or tourism spots in unfamiliar locations.
“For example, at the beach, most drowning cases involved those who came from far away places.
“Their failure to understand the topographic aspects and water conditions in the area were usually the main causes of drowning incidents. This was due to their lack of knowledge compared to locals.”
