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THE search for a six-year-old girl reported missing from her family home in Kampung Panchor near Daro, a district in the Mukah Division of Sarawak, ended in tragedy today when she was found drowned in a nearby river.
The victim, Aqilla Nasuha Shamsol, was discovered by the search and rescue team floating in the river close to Kampung Lemang Pek at about 4pm.
A spokesperson for the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department’s Operations Control Centre said the discovery was immediately reported to the police for identification procedures.
“The victim was then brought ashore at the Kampung Panchor jetty before being taken to hospital in a police vehicle for confirmation of death,” the spokesperson said.
The child was reported missing at 2.28pm yesterday after family members realised she was no longer at home earlier in the day. She is believed to have left the house through the back door without her parents noticing.
Earlier, the girl’s father, who had begun searching for her on his own, found footprints believed to belong to the child leading towards the river at around 1pm. Fearing for her safety, he lodged a report with the authorities, prompting the activation of a search and rescue operation by personnel from the Daro Fire and Rescue Station.
The operation entered its second day today, with assistance from the Royal Malaysia Police, the Malaysian Civil Defence Force and local villagers, before the child’s body was finally located. - February 2, 2026
