Missing paddlers feared swept down S’wak River: 127 personnel, assets deployed in desperate search

A diver from Bomba searching the Sarawak River for the missing paddlers after a tragic training accident on Oct 19, 2024.

By Karen Bong

KUCHING, Oct 19: Concerns are growing that the five missing paddlers from a regatta training accident may have been swept downstream by the Sarawak River’s current following the opening of a barrage last night due to heavy rain.

The barrage was closed early this morning as the search and rescue (SAR) operation entered its second day.

Twelve agencies and 127 personnel are involved in the effort, utilising drones, advanced sonar imaging technology, and boats to comb a 10-kilometre radius from the accident site, extending downriver to the barrage.

Divers from the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) Sarawak have conducted six dives near the accident site but have yet to find any signs of the missing victims.

Rescuers assemble at the SAR base in Royal Bay Commercial Centre, Jalan Buruh Bintawa, on Oct 19, 2024.

Sarawak Police Commissioner Dato Mancha Ata reported that the weather has been relatively calm although a bit cloudy, presenting no major challenges for the search.

“However, the poor underwater visibility in the Sarawak River is hindering divers’ ability to locate objects. The riverbed is also filled with rocks,” he stated during a press conference at the SAR operation base at the Royal Bay Commercial Centre, Jalan Buruh Bintawa, today.

The tragic incident occurred yesterday (Oct 18) when a boat carrying 15 paddlers capsized during a training session on the Sarawak River. While 11 paddlers managed to swim to safety, five members of the Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit (UKPS) team from the Premier’s Department remain missing.

The accident occurred at around 3.47pm when a fishing boat coming from the opposite direction generated a wave that caused water to flood the paddlers’ boat, leading to its sinking.

The missing paddlers, aged between 23 and 34, have been identified as Mohammad Ikhmal Sama’ail, Majurie Maharuf, Mohd Afiq Isyamudin Asaari, Mohamad Khairul Bidin, and Muhammad Khairul Hisham Kasturi.

Bomba team combing the Sarawak River for five missing paddlers on Oct 19, 2024.

Mancha shared that the SAR operation commenced at 6am today, with rescuers divided into several teams scouring the river within a 10-km radius from the accident site.

“Considering the possibility that the victims may have been washed downstream, another team is focusing on the waterway leading to the barrage.

“As of now, no positive indications of the victims’ whereabouts have been found. If there are any developments, we will keep the community informed. We remain hopeful that all the victims will be located,” he added.

He hopes the families of the victims will remain patient, assuring them that authorities are dedicated to finding their loved ones.

“We hope for continued favourable weather conditions to facilitate the operation,” he added. — DayakDaily