KAMPAR: The identities of the three individuals who drowned while participating in a water rafting activity at Sungai Jahang have been confirmed as employees of the Public Works Department (PWD).
They were Mohamad Khairul Hakim Hamidi, 37, and Muhammad Ikram Abdul Bari, 29, both from PWD Langkawi, while the female victim, Suhaili Mat Saad, 47, was from PWD Seberang Perai Tengah.
The victims' identities were confirmed by district police chief Superintendent Mohamad Nazri Daud when contacted today.
Mohamad Khairul Hakim was from Ayer Hangat, Langkawi; Muhammad Ikram was from Taman Permata, Jitra, Kedah; and Suhaili was from Kampung Teluk Sungai Kecil, Nibong Tebal, Penang.
In a Facebook post tonight, PWD expressed condolences to the victims' families. According to the post, Suhaili was an engineer at PWD Seberang Perai Tengah, Mohamad Khairul Hakim was a senior assistant engineer at PWD Langkawi, and Muhammad Ikram was a customer service officer, also at PWD Langkawi.
"May the souls of Allahyarhamah and Allahyarham be showered with blessings and placed among the righteous," the post said.
Earlier, it was reported that three people were feared drowned while participating in a water rafting activity at a camping resort in the area.
Perak Fire and Rescue Department director Sayani Saidon said they received a distress call at 5.56pm, and a team of firefighters from Gopeng rushed to the scene.
It is understood that the victims were participating in a team-building programme held at the location.
The group comprised 22 participants from PWD Seberang Perai Tengah and Langkawi, along with six guides, who entered the Sungai Jahang area at 3.30pm.