KUCHING – A relaxing swim turned tragic when two men were confirmed drowned at Sungai Rayu near Jalan Sungai Rayu Matang this evening. The incident, which shocked the local community, involved a group of friends who had gone for a dip in the popular river spot.
According to Senior Operations Officer PBK II Asmadi Mohamad Nawei from the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM), their operations centre received an emergency call regarding the drowning at 3.55pm.
“A fire engine and a team were immediately dispatched from the Petra Jaya Fire and Rescue Station (BBP), which is about 31 kilometres from the scene,” he said in a media statement.
Upon arrival at 4.30pm, rescuers were informed that both victims had already been pulled out of the water by their friends. Unfortunately, medical officers from the Ministry of Health Malaysia (KKM) later confirmed that both had died at the scene.
The victims were identified as Azli Abdul Kadir, 19, and another man believed to be around 27 years old. Authorities are still working to verify the second victim’s identity.
The bodies were handed over to the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) for further investigation and were later sent to Lundu Hospital for post-mortem.
The joint operation involving JBPM, KKM, and PDRM personnel was officially concluded at 5.55pm.
The incident has raised concerns about water safety during the current dry spell, with authorities urging the public to remain cautious when engaging in recreational activities at rivers and waterfalls, especially without proper safety supervision.
