SIBU – A heartbreaking incident unfolded this evening when a two-year-old boy was confirmed dead after falling into a sewer system along Jalan Pedada here.
The victim, identified as Ehthin Ling, was found lifeless after an urgent search operation carried out by the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM), following an emergency call received at 6.29pm.
According to the JBPM Operations Centre (PGO), a team from the Sibu Sentral Fire and Rescue Station (BBP) was quickly dispatched to the scene upon receiving the distress call.
“Upon arrival, the victim’s father informed our personnel that his son had gone missing and was suspected to have fallen into the sewer,” said the department in an official statement.
The search and rescue team wasted no time in scouring the sewer line. The child’s body was discovered floating in the water at approximately 6.55pm. Firefighters managed to retrieve the boy just five minutes later.
Tragically, a medical team from the Ministry of Health (KKM), already on standby at the location, confirmed that the young child had died.
The remains of the child were then transported to Sibu Hospital for further examination and post-mortem procedures.
This incident has cast a shadow over the community, raising concerns over open or inadequately secured sewer systems, especially in residential and public areas. Authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances leading to the tragedy and whether negligence or environmental hazards contributed to the boy’s untimely death.
The public is urged to be extra cautious when accompanying children near drains, construction zones, and water systems, especially during the current rainy season when flood levels can rise rapidly and obscure potential dangers.
