KUCHING: Rescuers are scouring a river mouth here for the body of a ferry master who was reported missing, and presumed drowned, on Monday.
The Fire and Rescue Department, which sent a boat and a team of five to assist the police in the search in Sungai Batang Lupar, said it is concentrating on an area within a 3km radius of the ferry terminal.
The terminal is next to the Batang Lupar bridge, which is in the final phase of construction.
Eyewitnesses said the ferry master, identified as 48-year-old Lin Jarak, dived under his ferry in an attempt to free a mooring rope that was entangled in the propeller.
Lin did not resurface.
The river is the third longest in Sarawak. It was high tide at the time of the incident and the current was swift.
The new bridge spans 4.8km and costs RM848 million. When completed, will be the longest river crossing in the country.
The ferry is being used to get people and vehicles across the river until the bridge is opened.