2 cops among 4 missing in Kapit boat capsize
Published on: Friday, March 08, 2024
By: Bernama
The Kapit fire and rescue team conducted surface searching within a 1km radius of the site where the boat was last seen but suspended the operations at 6.50pm due to strong currents and worsening conditions. (JBPM pic)
SIBU: Two policemen are among four people reported missing after the longboat they were travelling in capsized in the Batang Baleh River near SK Lepong Baleh in Kapit yesterday.
Kapit police chief Rohana Nanu said at the time of the incident, the two policemen were on their way from Kuching to Ng Tulie, Kapit with explosives weighing 35kg and detonators.
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She said the two missing policemen were identified as Jonathan Lambet and Iskandar Ibrahim from the Kapit district police headquarters (IPD).
According to Rohana, in the incident at around 5pm, the two policemen and three other passengers boarded a boat from the SK Lepong Baleh jetty heading towards Ng Tulie to deliver the explosives.
“Upon reaching the scene, the boat veered slightly to the left towards the upstream of the river and encountered swirling water, causing the boat to capsize.
“One victim was rescued by members of the public while the other four are still missing,” she said in a statement last night.
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Meanwhile, Sibu zone fire and rescue department chief Andy Alie said the rescued victim was identified as 47-year-old Moses Ngui, while the two missing civilians were Amerson John Nain and Jack Balan.
When contacted by Bernama via WhatsApp tonight, he said a distress call was received at 5.25pm and the team from the Kapit fire and rescue station arrived at the location, which is located 13km away, at 5.45pm.
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He added that the fire and rescue team conducted an initial assessment of the location area and obtained information from the survivor and members of the public who witnessed the incident.
“The fire and rescue team conducted surface searching within a 1km radius of the site where the boat was last seen but suspended the operations at 6.50pm due to strong currents and worsening conditions, and will resume in the morning,” he added.
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