A male student is believed to have drowned at Pantai Damai, near a tourist centre at Santubong, about 35 km from Kuching.

According to a Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department spokesman, in the 10 am incident today, Aslam Husaini, 19, from Madrasah Darul Ulung Al-Fatah, Jalan Depo, Samariang, here was playing on the beach with his two friends, aged 15 and 17, when they suddenly fell into the sea.

The spokesman said two of the boys managed to swim to safety but Aslam went missing.

The students were on a picnic there accompanied by three teachers from the school.

The search and rescue (SAR) operation comprising firemen, police and and the Civil Defence Department is still on-going. -- BERNAMA