LANGKAWI: The bodies of all four girls who drowned after they were swept downstream by a sudden surge of water at a waterfall located in the Lubuk Semilang Recreational Park here on Thursday have been found.
However, another boy managed to cheat death after some rocks and driftwood stopped him from being swept further and was rescued by bystanders.
Deputy OCPD Langkawi Deputy Supt Mahani Mohamed said they received information of the incident at 5.10pm Thursday.
"According to preliminary investigations, a few groups of visitors were picnicking in the area.
"At about 4.30pm, a sudden surge of water from the top of the hill flowed downstream and swept away five children – four girls and a boy aged between five and 12 – who were in the water.
"However, the boy was rescued by the public after he got stuck between some rocks and wood," she said, adding that he suffered bruises on his leg.
DSP Mahani said a search and rescue operation was launched, involving personnel from the Fire and Rescue Department, the Civil Defence Force and some villagers.
He added that the body of Qistina Puteri Wira, 12, was found later some 800m downstream from the area at 5.30pm Thursday.
State Fire and Rescue Department public relations officer Supt Mohamad Mustakim Mukhtar said at about 12.45am on Friday, the body of the second victim, Nur Iman Waheeda Mohd Basri, 11, was found.
The body of the third victim, Anis Satirah Saad, 12, was found later the same day at 11.45am.
"The fourth victim, five-year old Siti Aisyah Kassim, was found at about 4.26pm near the Bukit Kemboja surau, some 7km from the location where she was swept away.
"The SAR Operation ended at 5.30pm," DSP Mahani said.
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