SIBU: Four people have reportedly died after a boat capsized in waters off the coast of Sibu district in central Sarawak while six others are still missing as of evening today.
Seven others have been rescued, said the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) in a press alert.
“A search and rescue operation is in full swing at the site of the incident off the Pantai Belawai coast,“ it said.
The department received an emergency alert on the incident at about 2pm.
“Our teams are in the area now. So far, from the details we have gathered there were 17 people inside the fibreglass boat. The vessel capsized in the South China Sea.
“As of now, the latest is that four have been found dead, seven have been rescued and six are still missing,“ the Bomba statement added.
Among the dead and missing are children and women, it said.
The cause of the incident and the identities of those involved are being investigated.
— More to follow