SAR efforts for missing children drowned in Pegalan river expanded

KENINGAU - The search and rescue (SAR) operations for two children who drowned in Pagalan River, Keningau, have been extended to cover a seven-kilometer stretch.

Nine-year-old Arlina Jabar is still missing, while her 12-year-old sister, Azila, was found on the second day of SAR operations.

Keningau Fire and Rescue Station (BBP) chief Sharudy Delamin reported that the operations entered their third day, starting at 5.50 am. The search radius expanded from 2.5 kilometers to 4.5 kilometers.

“Search operations were done using the same method which was to comb the riverbank by foot with the help of rescuers and villagers, while the Fire and Rescue Services Department's water rescue team ran the SAR through dives,” he said when contacted by Sinar today.

He added information would be updated periodically.

The incident occurred when the siblings were playing near the riverbank in Kampung Linkudou on Monday. Arlina fell into the river, prompting Azila to jump in to save her.

Tragically, they were swept away by the strong current and remain missing.