SIBU: The bodies of the five missing paddlers from a regatta training accident on the Sarawak River in Kuching have been found.
The Fire and Rescue Department said two bodies were found at 6.16am on Sunday (Oct 20), while the others were found at 6.40am, 7.07am and 7.09am.
The victims were identified as Mohammad Ikhmal Sama'ail, 34, Majurie Maharuf, 32, Mohd Afiq Isyamudin Asaari, 26, Mohamad Khairul Bidin, 26, and Muhammad Khairul Hisham Kasturi, 23.
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The search and rescue operation involved department personnel, the police, Sarawak Rivers Board, Civil Defence Force and Marine Department.
On Friday (Oct 18), a boat carrying 15 paddlers capsized during a training session.
Ten of them managed to swim to safety while five others, members of the Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit (UKPS) from the Premier's Department, went missing.
The incident occurred at 3.47pm when a fishing boat coming from the opposite direction generated a wave that flooded the paddlers' boat, causing it to sink.
