Teachers, students trapped by flood rescued

SIBU: Sixteen people, including seven students and nine teachers and school staff, were rescued from SJK (C) Yong Shing today (Aug 22) after floods made the main road to Stabau impassable.

Andy Alie, the chief of the Sibu Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), stated that they received an emergency call from a teacher at 3:14 pm about their situation.

“Firefighters from Sibujaya station were promptly sent to the scene, approximately 20 km away, to rescue those trapped at the school.

“Upon arrival, they encountered floodwater three feet deep on the main road to Stabau, which made it impassable for small vehicles but passable for heavy vehicles and pick-up trucks,” he said.

Andy added that the students, teachers, and school staff could not leave the school as the floodwaters reached waist level.

The rescue team utilized their pick-up truck and fire truck to reach the school and evacuate the trapped individuals.

All of them were subsequently taken to the Sibujaya fire station, where they were reunited with their families.

The rescue operation concluded at 4:52 pm.

Some of the students, teachers and school staff in a group photo with their heroes at Sibujaya fire station