Bomba personnel carrying one of the bodies to shore at a jetty in Bintawa on Oct 20, 2024. Photo credit: Sarawak Bomba

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By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Oct 20: The bodies of all five paddlers who went missing after their boat capsized during a regatta training session near Royal Bay Commercial Centre, Jalan Buruh, Bintawa, on Oct 18, were found this morning.

According to the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), the bodies were recovered between 6.16am and 7.09am. The search operation concluded at 10am after all victims were accounted for.

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The incident occurred on Oct 18 when a boat carrying 15 participants capsized during regatta training on the Sarawak River.

The accident happened at around 3.47 pm when a fishing boat travelling in the opposite direction created a wave that flooded the paddlers’ boat, causing it to sink.

Out of the 15 individuals on board, ten managed to save themselves, while five were reported missing.

The victims were identified as Mohammad Ikhmal Sama’ail (34), Majurie Maharuf (32), Mohd Afiq Isyamudin Asaari (26), Mohamad Khairul Bidin (26), and Muhammad Khairul Hisham Kasturi (23).

All five were members of the Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit (UKPS) from the Premier’s Department. — DayakDaily