05-07-2025
Four dead, six missing after boat capsizes off Belawai beach
A Bomba personnel combing the area in search of the missing victims. – Bomba photo
SIBU (July 5): Four people have been confirmed dead, six are still missing, and seven survived after a boat carrying 17 passengers capsized near Belawai beach, Kampung Belawai, this afternoon.
The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) Operations Centre said it received a distress call about the incident at 2.11pm, prompting the immediate deployment of a rescue team from the Tanjung Manis Fire and Rescue Station.
Upon arrival at the scene at 3.12pm, responders found that a fibre boat with 17 people on board had overturned.
At the time of writing, four fatalities have been confirmed, six individuals remain unaccounted for, and seven survivors have been identified.
A search operation is underway along the shoreline, utilising a Bomba boat with support from a Sarawak Coast Guard vessel.
'Our personnel are still gathering further information from the boat driver, who survived the incident,' the department said in a statement.
The rescue operation is led by Senior Fire Officer I (PBK I) Adam Gauk and involves six firefighters, along with a Fire Rescue Tender (FRT), a 4×4 vehicle, and a rescue boat.
Other agencies involved in the ongoing search and rescue (SAR) operation include the police, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), the Sarawak Coast Guard, and the People's Volunteer Corps (Rela). Belawai boat capsized bomba fatal lead missing SAR
