KANOWIT – A barge worker who went missing after falling into the Rejang River yesterday was found drowned this morning, bringing a sombre end to the search and rescue (SAR) mission.
According to the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department Operations Centre, the body of the victim, identified as Jamie Adong, 54, was discovered at around 8.57 am today. A member of the public spotted the body floating in the river, about five kilometres from the Fire Control Post (PKB) that had been set up during the SAR operation.
“After receiving the information, the Fire and Rescue Department, together with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the Civil Defence Force (APM), immediately deployed a boat to the location to recover the body,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
Upon arrival, the rescue team retrieved the body from the river and placed it in a body bag before transporting it to the Kanowit town jetty for further action.
Family members, who had been waiting anxiously, later carried out the identification process at the jetty and confirmed that the body belonged to their relative.
The victim was reported to have fallen from a barge at about 10.40 am yesterday, prompting a large-scale search involving multiple agencies.
Following the confirmation, the victim’s body was handed over to the police for further investigation and necessary procedures. The SAR operation was officially called off at 10.30 am today.
The incident has left the victim’s family and co-workers deeply saddened, with authorities reminding workers in the river and shipping industry to always adhere to strict safety measures while on duty.
