SIBU: A fishing trip for a group of five friends turned into a tragedy when two of them are feared drowned at Sungai Seduan in Permai Jaya here today.
A search operation has been mounted to locate James Tiong Kiong Hee and Pau Chiong Huat, aged 12 and 18, respectively.
A State Fire and Rescue Department spokesman said the incident occurred when one of victims went into the river to search for his fishing hook at about 7pm.
"The boy, however, never resurfaced triggering concern among his friends.
"The other victim went into the river to look for the first victim but he also ended up with the same fate," the spokesman said.
He said 13 men in three vehicles, from Sungai Merah Fire and Rescue station were deployed to the scene for the search and rescue operation.
"Efforts are on-going to locate the missing boys," he said.