KUCHING: A man reported missing after falling from his boat into Sungai Benatu, Punan Bah in Belaga on Monday, was found drowned today (Jan 1).
The body of Micheal Sait Lanyau, 60, was discovered by the Search And Rescue (SAR) team and villagers at 9.10am, about one kilometre (km) downstream from the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department's control post.
A spokesman from the Sarawak Fire and Rescue operations centre said the victim's body was handed over to the police.
The victim was reported to have fallen from his boat while heading out to search for durian at around 7.30am on Monday.
Several villagers witnessed the incident from a distance, but they were unable to assist as the victim was swept away by strong currents.
Despite the villagers' immediate search efforts, they were unable to locate the victim, prompting a police report for further assistance.
The department received a call about the incident at 1.10pm on Monday.
Three personnel from the Belaga Fire and Rescue Station (BBP) were dispatched to the scene.
Firefighters arrived at the location, approximately 115km from the station via logging roads and palm oil plantations, and activated the SAR operation at 4.40pm on Monday.
In addition to the firefighters, the operation involved three police officers, four members of the Civil Defence Force (APM), three staff from the Sarawak Rivers Board (LSS), and villagers.