SARATOK, Sept 27 — A routine river crossing turned tragic when a boat carrying 10 workers capsized in Sungai Krian near Feri Kaba here at about 5.30pm yesterday, leaving four men missing while six others managed to swim to safety.
According to a statement from the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department’s Operations Centre (PGO), the victims were employees of a construction company who were on their way home after work, crossing from Jeti Sesang to Jeti Pusa when the incident occurred.
“During the journey, the boat sank midstream. Six victims managed to save themselves by swimming to the riverbank, while four others remain unaccounted for and have yet to be found,” the statement said.
The missing men were identified as Mohd Asfar Sulaiman, 25 (local); Gunawan Pawadi, 35 (Indonesia); Budianto Yapani, 50 (Indonesia); and Karyono, 41 (Indonesia).
The six survivors were named as Sandi Putra, 26; Amirul, 20; Tadin, 50; Diki Sanjaya, 22; Dwi Moko, 39; and Krisna, 37 — all Indonesian nationals.
Firemen from the Saratok Fire and Rescue Station, led by PBK I Abdul Rahman Sabi, rushed to the scene after receiving a distress call at 6.13pm.
They arrived at 7.10pm but were unable to carry out immediate search-and-rescue (SAR) operations due to safety factors.
A search and rescue operation will commence today for the missing men.
Police reports have been lodged at Saratok Police Station, and the case is being closely monitored. — The Borneo Post
