Sabah searchers find body of one boy after two teens swept away in Keningau river

Kota Kinabalu, August 23 — The tragic death of a 16-year-old boy during a recreational outing has left families in mourning, as search efforts continue for his 13-year-old friend swept away by the Keningau river's powerful current. Jasti Gomen was discovered at 10:34am in Kampung Bakti, situated just 50 meters from where he and his 13-year-old companion, Khend Rommel Ponce Caceres, are believed to have fallen into the river.

The Malaysian Civil Defence Force outlined that the boys were reportedly standing along the riverbank when they were suddenly swept away by the swift current. Concerned family members alerted the police upon realizing their sons were missing, leading to a swift search and rescue operation. The incident was reported to the Keningau District Operations Control Centre through social media at 7:24pm the previous day, prompting personnel to arrive at the scene 15 minutes later to confirm the report and meet with the victims' families.

A joint search and rescue team, comprising seven police officers, nine firefighters, and 13 APM personnel, remains at the scene, diligently searching for Khend. The operation, backed by specialized vehicles and an ambulance, aims to locate the 13-year-old boy whose current whereabouts remain undetermined.