Sabah Fire Dept: Missing 11‑year‑old girl found drowned in Sungai Bengkoka after search launched for five victims

KOTA KINABALU, Sept 2 — An 11-year-old girl reported missing in Sungai Bengkoka, Pitas, was discovered drowned this morning, according to Pitas Fire and Rescue Station chief Noor Jali Maslah. The victim was found approximately one kilometre from the Fire and Rescue Control Centre (PKB) by villagers at 7.36am, reported the station in a statement. The firefighters immediately secured the victim using a stretcher, subsequently transferring her body to the police.

The search and rescue (SAR) operation was initiated following an emergency call made by the Pitas Fire and Rescue Station at 5.17pm the previous day. The SAR operation involved six personnel from BBP Pitas, who deployed a National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) boat and conducted the operation using the Surface Water Rescue method within a one-kilometre search radius from the PKB.

During the incident, two girls - aged four and 14 - nearly drowned and were subsequently hospitalized. An 18-year-old woman and a 14-year-old boy were found to be safe.