Two teens drown during picnic outing in Penampang

KOTA KINABALU: A "fun picnic" outing for two girls and their friends turned tragic when the girls fell into a river and drowned on Friday (April 6) afternoon.

The 15-year-olds, known only as Dinda and Paulina, together with some friends had apparently sneaked into the Kibunut recreational park in Penampang near here, which was closed prior to the incident.

However, at about 1.50pm, their friends realised that they were nowhere to be found and started searching for them.

Penampang police chief Deputy Supt Mohd Haris Ibrahim said their friends, while searching for the girls, realised that they must have fallen into the river and swept by strong currents.

He said the victims did not know how to swim.

"Not long afterwards, the friends alerted the authorities and a search operation led by the fire department was mounted," he said.

Sabah Fire and Rescue Department operations chief Khatizah Rahaban said the bodies were found at about 3pm and were sent to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for post-mortem.

There were no park guards or officials on duty during the incident as the park is only open to the public on weekends.