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KUCHING, Feb 7: A heartbreaking end to the search for a 69-year-old man who went missing after his boat capsized at Sungai Anap, Tatau. The man, identified as Lila Jali from Antau Sait longhouse, was found drowned along the banks of Sungai Sangan this morning.
According to the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), the discovery was made by local residents and the victim’s son.
“At 8.15am, the chief of the Tatau Fire Station received a call from military personnel, reporting that the victim’s body had been found along the banks of Sungai Sangan by villagers and his son,” Bomba said.
Rescue teams were immediately dispatched to the location to recover the body. It was transported by boat to the Bomba control post and later handed over to the police for further investigation.
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The tragic incident began on Wednesday evening when Lila and his wife were returning home after sending their son to Sangan town for his return to duty.
At 5.17pm, just moments after leaving, the longhouse chief informed their son that his parents’ boat had capsized around 10km from the Tatau jetty. While his mother was quickly rescued by nearby villagers, Lila tragically went missing.
The community was deeply shaken by the incident, with many expressing condolences to the grieving family. This tragedy serves as a sobering reminder of the unpredictable nature of river travel, especially in areas prone to strong currents and rough waters.
Authorities have advised local residents to exercise caution and ensure proper safety measures when navigating rivers, particularly during the rainy season.