KUCHING: A man is feared to have drowned after being swept away by strong current while bathing at Pantai Belawai in Sarikei on Sunday.
Sarikei District Police chief, Superitendent Mat Jusoh Mohamad said the incident occurred around 4.30pm while the victim was bathing with his friend.
“For now the victim is only known as Luis, from Kapit,” he added.
It was understood that the victim’s friend was rescued by villagers who witnessed the incident.
Meanwhile, five personnel in a boat, a Rapid Rescue Vehicle (RRV) and an Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) vehicle from Sungai Merah fire station in Sibu were dispatched to the scene yesterday morning after they were notified of the incident by a policeman from Belawai Police Station at 11.38pm on Sunday.
Six members of the Civil Defence Force (APM) and four police personnel were also mobilised to the scene to assist them.
A Bomba operations control centre was set up near the scene, about 98 kilometres from the fire station, at 11.10am and rescuers mounted a search about one kilometre from the estuary of Batang Belawai at 11.40am.
The missing man, a tugboat crew member, had yet to be found as of press time yesterday.
