SANDAKAN: Two teenage girls were believed to have drowned while swimming at a quarry pond in Kg Gum-Gum, here.
They were identified as 15-year-old Nurfatin and 17-year-old Nurdina Nirmala.
Sandakan Fire and Rescue Station Chief Jimmy Lagung said they received an emergency call at 5.31 pm. A rescue team was immediately dispatched and arrived at the scene at 5.59 pm.
“One of the victims was recovered by members of the public before the team arrived at the location. The second was found shortly after through a joint effort between the firefighters and the public,” Jimmy said.
It is understood that they had gone to the quarry pond for recreational swimming at about 5 pm.
Medical officers from the Ministry of Health, who arrived at the scene, confirmed that both teenagers had passed away.
The bodies have been handed over to the police for further investigation.
Meanwhile, rescuers are searching for a 15-year-old who went missing while swimming at the Menumbuk beach five days ago after strong waves swept him away despite rescue efforts by his family.
The search for Jason Alexander Jonathan was suspended at 6.10 pm Tuesday and will resume today (June 3).
Rescue teams expanded the search area from Pantai Sawangan to Batu Linting covering an estimated radius of 10.8 nautical miles.
The Fire and Rescue team received the initial distress call at 5.22 pm on May 29 regarding the incident at Batu Linting.
Two children were involved in the incident where one victim was saved by family members while the other could not be found due to strong waves.
The search and rescue team arrived at the scene located 21km away and immediately began water surface search methods along the coastline.
The operation is being supported by the police and the Civil Defence Force along with 14 members from the Mansud and Sangkabok and Berangkok volunteer fire teams.
