Body of seven-year-old in Nanga Temalat boat tragedy found

The body of a seven-year-old boy who was feared drowned after the boat he was travelling with capsized at Nanga Temalat was retrieved at Durin here today.

The remains of Rudy Alfadence Danstarns Gino Bansing, 7, was retrieved this afternoon by Sibu marine police before they handed the body to the search and rescue team.

The identification process was done by the victim’s mother based on the blue pants worn by his son during the incident on Monday.

Operation Commander, Frederick Aok when met by Astro AWANI said that Alfadance’s remains were found about 50km from where the boat had sunk.

Aok said the body was successfully retrieved following a lead by an express boat passenger who had notified the authorities.

“The body was caught in the rapid river and drifted as far as Durin bridge – located between Kanowit and Sibu.

“We dispatched our search and rescue team upon receiving the information and Sibu marine officers who were patrolling at the area before they handed the body to the police,” he said.

The remains were brought to Sibu General Hospital for postmortem.

Following the find, Aok also said that police will expand the search area to find another missing person, Reffinej Clarence, nine.

In the Monday incident, a passenger boat carrying seven people including three children was feared drowned in Sungai Rajang near Kampung Tamalat due to strong current.

The passengers were believed to be heading to a nearby longhouse after visiting a nearby fruit orchard.

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