MUKAH: The death toll from Saturday's (July 5) boat tragedy off the coast of Pantai Belawai rose to five on Sunday after another victim was found, as efforts continue to locate five others still missing.
A Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department spokesman said the body of a boy, whose age has yet to be determined, was recovered at 6pm, about 300m from the scene.
"As of now, five victims have been confirmed dead, five are still missing and seven have been rescued. The five missing victims are all adult males," the spokesman said in a statement.
In the incident that occurred around 2pm Saturday, a fibreglass boat carrying 17 Indonesian nationals from Kampung Belawai fishermen's jetty capsized en route to the Zion Pelita Coconut Plantation jetty.
The seven survivors include four adult men, two adult women and a boy.
Meanwhile, the four deceased victims found earlier comprised two adult women, a boy and a girl.
The search and rescue operation continues with surface-level searches within a 3km radius of the incident location, assisted by the police, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, the Sarawak Coast Guard, Rela and local villagers.
Sunday’s operation was called off at 6.40pm and will resume Monday morning. - Bernama
