SUNGAI BULOH: A total of 12 people have died from drowning in Selangor so far this year, said the Fire and Rescue Department after five anglers were reported drowned in Sungai Gasi yesterday.
State Fire and Rescue Department director Azmi Osman said seven deaths were recorded in January alone, adding that the high number of drowning related fatalities was alarming.
“Last year, 24 drowning cases were reported and in February last year, only three deaths were recorded,” he told reporters here today.
Azmi urged members of the public to be careful when swimming in rivers or when participating in water-related activities.
“I would like to advise the public not to go near rivers or drainage ditches,” he said, adding that these places were dangerous due to the uncertain weather.
In the latest incident on Monday evening, eight people were swept away by strong currents, believed to be triggered by a flash flood, as they were fishing along Sungai Gasi.
Three victims survived while the bodies of another two anglers were recovered by search and rescue teams. The fate of three more anglers remains unknown.