PAPAR: Two people have been found drowned, while another remains missing after swimming at Kampung Bundusan beach earlier this evening.
Another person, who was swimming with the three victims, was rescued by local villagers.
The two deceased have been identified as 14-year-old Rizq Aariz Julkarnain Abd Aziz and seven-year-old Rubern Vitalis. The missing person is Karl Marx Vitalis, 48, while the person rescued by villagers is Matthew Kana Vitalis, 12.
Based on information from the Sabah Fire and Rescue Department's Operations Centre, the incident occurred when all four victims were swimming at the beach.
"The centre received an emergency call via MERS999, reporting that four individuals had drowned. One victim was found by villagers before the arrival of the fire and rescue team. Upon arriving at the scene, the team, together with medical officers from the Health Ministry, performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), but one of the victims was pronounced dead at the scene. Another victim was reported safe after being rescued by villagers. The third victim was discovered by the fire and rescue team at 6.56pm, washed up on the shore. The team is currently conducting a search and rescue (SAR) operation for the remaining missing victim."
The emergency call regarding the incident was received via MERS999 at 5.37pm, prompting the dispatch of eight personnel from the Papar Fire and Rescue Station to the scene.