Three drown in water surge disaster near Lahad Datu

Safe with their heroes: Rescued trekkers (behind) sitting with Fire and Rescue Department personnel after the search operation. — Pic courtesy of Lahad Datu Fire and Rescue Department

KOTA KINABALU: Three people drowned while 12 others escaped in a water surge incident at Mak Sina valley in Sabah’s east coast of Lahad Datu.

The three dead – two trekkers and a river trail guide – were part of a 15-member group that had gone on a river-hiking excursion at Sungai Makuou in Tungku at 9am on Sunday.