KOTA BELUD: A recreational outing turned tragic after two young men were reported missing in Sungai Melangkap near Polupung View Camp Site in Melangkap Baru on Saturday morning.
The Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) received an emergency call at 9.26am and arrived at the scene at 10.01am, about 30km away, before launching a search and rescue operation along the river.
Firefighters conducted surface water searches after confirming two victims were believed to have drowned.
The first victim, 23-year-old Zul Hakim Abdullah, was found at 10.18am about 300 metres from the incident site.
He was confirmed dead by the Health Ministry and later handed over to police.
The second victim, 18-year-old Daniel Abdullah, remains missing as search operations continue within a 1km radius of the area.
A total of nine firefighters from BBP Kota Belud, assisted by police and health personnel, are involved in the ongoing operation.
