Search for villager feared drowned yet to yield result
JULAU: The search for an elderly villager, who is feared to have drowned, resumed yesterday with members of the search-andrescue ( SAR) operation combing the waters of Nanga Sayong, along Sungai Entabai.
Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) Bintangor chief Nicholas Belulin said the victim, Anjan Nyua, 66, was reported missing on Wednesday.
“The victim set out alone in his longboat from his longhouse at Rumah Anding, Nanga Jemak on Tuesday, around 8am to attend a pre- Gawai gathering at SK Nanga Entabai.
“He is believed to have been making his way back that same night or early Wednesday morning when the mishap occurred. According to residents of Rumah Minggat in Nanga Sayong, they heard somebody calling for help from the river between 1am and 2am on Wednesday,” he said.
Nicholas added that the villagers then found a longboat, powered by a 30hp engine, but with no one inside. The boat was later confirmed to belong to Anjan.
Following a report lodged, the SAR team, comprising firemen, police, Civil Defence Force and longhouse folk, immediately carried out a search but without success.
Yesterday’s search focused on a 3km radius up to Nanga Jemak and 2km downstream to Sungai Nanga Entabai, but with no positive development as of late yesterday afternoon.