FOUR DEAD VICTIMS IN SUNGAI ANAP TATAU BOAT TRAGEDY IDENTIFIED

KUCHING (Sarawak, Malaysia), Oct 19 (Bernama) -- The identities of four people
who died in the collision between a passenger express boat and a barge in the
upper reaches of Sungai Anap Tatau, Bintulu, about 2.30pm Monday, have been
identified.

Bintulu Marine Operations Force commanding officer ASP Iswandi Ken said the
first victim, a baby girl aged between five and 10 months, while the other three
who were found two hours later in the capsized boat, were 21-year-old resident
from Durin Sibu, 56-year-old man from Sudan Sibu longhouse and 75-year-old man,
from Engka Kakus longhouse.

"As at 11 this morning, we have not received information on the discovery of
more victims although the media have reported more than four people had died in
the boat tragedy," Iswandi told Bernama, here, Tuesday.

He said the boat skipper, Ting Meng Siik, 58, who was safe, had lodged a report
on the incident at the Tatau district police station Monday evening.

In the incident, 17 other passengers were confirmed to have been saved, with 11
of them, including four children aged one to three years, receiving treatment at
the Bintulu General Hospital.

The search-and-rescue operation mounted by the police, Marine Operations Force,
Fire and Rescue Department and workers from a nearby logging camp near he scene
of the incident, is still on.

"We have also sent a team of divers from Kuching to assist in the
operation," said Iswandi.
-- BERNAMA