SEGAMAT: Eight teenage boys are believed to have drowned in the Buluh Kasap River after seven of them went to the aid of one who was struggling in the water.
Divers from the Bandar Putra Fire and Rescue Service were looking for the boys, aged between 13 and 16, following the 9.30am incident.
Head of the service, Mohd Aizat Mamat, said one of the boys cried for help after encountering difficulty in the river, near a sand quarry, during an outing as today is the weekly holiday in Johor.
"His friends all jumped into the river to rescue him and all eight found themselves struggling in the water," he told Bernama when contacted.
He said 13 boys had gone to the river, but five were safe.
The recreational spot, located about 10 kilometres from Segamat, is popular with residents in the vicinity.
Mohd Aizat said the river is about 20 metres deep with slime and wood carcass.
Segamat OCPD Supt Mohd Kamil Sukarmi, when contacted, confirmed the incident.
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