LAHAD DATU: Three drowned, while three others are still missing, after being swept away by floodwaters at Lembah Maksina, Makuau, Tungku, here, last night (May 5).
The victims, aged between 25 and 58, were reported to have entered the area to engage in hiking activities with 11 other hikers.
All 17 victims were swept away by floodwaters at around 8pm, resulting in six missing, two injured, and nine others trapped.
The Sabah Fire and Rescue Department received the alert at 8:28pm and arrived at 9:36pm last night.
Before the fire department's arrival, two victims managed to escape on their own, while nine were successfully rescued by the rescue team.
Unfortunately, at 1.37am today (May 6), the bodies of three hikers were found trapped under timber logs.
Efforts to retrieve the victims' bodies are underway, with search operations continuing for the remaining three missing people.