(Bintulu News, 24th) A suspected drowning case occurred yesterday afternoon around 4 PM where an 18-year-old youth Valentino Austin disappeared at Kampung Batu Mandi beach in Samalaju. Today, the Bintulu Gedong Fire and Rescue Department continued the search and rescue operation. After a thorough search, his body was finally found 0.7 nautical miles from the incident site, and it was confirmed that he had drowned.
According to the report from the Fire and Rescue Department, the incident happened around 4:20 PM on Saturday (23rd). The Bintulu Fire Department received an alarm call at 6:10 PM that afternoon, quickly mobilized, and the firefighters arrived at the scene within 10 minutes to commence the search and rescue operation.
The search range on the first day centered on the incident site, conducting surface searches 1 kilometer to the left and right. The operation continued into the late night, with multiple search attempts, but no discoveries were made. Eventually, at 6:30 AM the following morning, an action briefing was held, and the search mission was redeployed.
The search and rescue team was divided into two groups, continuing their search at zones A and B from 7 AM. Meanwhile, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency also dispatched six members to participate in the operation.
At 9:21 AM today, the Maritime Enforcement Agency found a body 0.7 nautical miles from the incident site. Upon confirmation, it was the suspected drowned Valentino. Around 10 AM, the body was transferred to the Bintulu Riverside Pier for further identification and subsequent processing by the police and related units.
At 11:10 AM, fire personnel assisted in transferring the body from the maritime vessel to the Bintulu Pier, with the police confirming the deceased's identity. The operation was then declared over.
The search and rescue involved collaboration across multiple parties including the Fire and Rescue Department, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, Police, and Civil Defense Force, mobilizing over 40 people in total.
The deceased was confirmed to be Valentino Austin, 18 years old, from Kampung Buro Bulo Longhouse in Kapit. At the time of the incident, he was wearing blue, white, and green long pants. His family has been notified, and related matters are being handled.
