LUNDU: The body of the last missing student in the boat capsize tragedy at Sungai Kayan, Kampung Selampit here, has been recovered this morning.
Acting Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) director Tiong Ling Hii confirmed that the body of 14-year-old Alsma Jithil was discovered floating upstream.
“She was spotted in the river by the villagers around 6.38 am, about 100 metres from where the capsize occurred.
“Members from the Sarawak Coast Guard (SCG) recovered her body and took it to the search and rescue (SAR) control post to be handed over to the police for further action,” he said.
The search was officially called off as all three missing students have been found.
The unfortunate tragedy happened around 6.10 am on Tuesday (Aug 20) when the boat was carrying 20 passengers, comprising 16 students and four adults including the boat operator, and a motorcycle.
The wooden boat capsized when it reached the middle of the river. Of the 16 students, 12 managed to swim to safety while the rest were rescued by villagers nearby.
One of them was discovered and rescued by the villagers after drifting about 1km away.
This is the first incident to have happened since Kampung Selampit was established some 75 years ago. It has claimed the lives of Alsma, 15-year-old Vilkie Wilson, and 17-year-old Helena Fasha Petrus.
