Outing with friends turns tragic after two Rohingya boys drown in JB

JOHOR BARU: Two Rohingya boys drowned while swimming at a river in Kampung Bakar Batu, Taman Sutera, Perling, here.

Johor Baru North OCPD Asst Comm Rupeah Abd Wahid the victims, aged 11 and 14, had gone to the river together with 10 other friends for a swim.

“The police received a report at 4.40am on Saturday (July 23) after the duo was reported missing while swimming.

“The report was lodged by the family of the victims who were alerted by their friends,” she said in a statement.

ACP Rupeah added that the Fire and Rescue Department water rescue unit found the first victim at 9.50am and the second victim at 10.35am.

“Both victims were found about 50m from where they were last seen.

“The bodies have been brought to the Sultanah Aminah Hospital (HSA) for post-mortem before being handed over to the family for burial,” she said.

Skudai Fire and Rescue Department operation commander Mohd Riduan Akhyar added that a total of 21 staff members were deployed to the scene.

“We deployed one fire truck, one Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) van, and two boats.

“The 11-year-old victim was identified as Mahmod, while the 14-year-old victim was identified as Nojumullah Ahmad,” he said, adding that the operation ended at 11.40am.