KOTA KINABALU: A search and rescue (SAR) mission has been activated for an 11-year-old boy feared drowned during an outing at a river in Lahad Datu on Friday.
The Fire and Rescue Department initially received the emergency call at 4.39pm reporting the incident at Kampung Tabanak there.
Two boys were reported to have been carried by the water currents at the river while swimming with friends, but the first victim - also 11-years-old - was rescued by civilians while the other remained missing.
"The team on location obtained more details upon arriving before proceeding with the SAR operation along the riverbank at the span of 3km from where the victim was last seen.
"A water surface search was also conducted using a boat. Information will be updated from time to time," said the Department spokesman, adding that the police and Civil Defence Force personnel were also at hand for assistance.
