SIBU: While others are preparing to welcome the Gawai Dayak and Hari Raya celebrations, a family at the Augustine Meringgai Jana longhouse in Nanga Tutus here is mourning the deaths of its three children who were found drowned on Wednesday.
Nurul Syahiera Salam, 13, and her cousins Trance Janggok Tommy, 14, and Trisha Janggok Tommy, 12, were swimming near the longhouse jetty at 4pm on Wednesday when they were swept away by strong currents.
Their uncle and grandmother, who were at the site during the incident, were unable to rescue them.
A Search and Rescue (SAR) effort was launched by the Sungai Merah fire station, with the help of villagers, following a report on the incident at 4.10pm.
Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department’s Zone Four acting chief Wan Kamarudin Wan Ahmad said the bodies were found about 5km away at the Rassau area near SMK Batang Igan.