KENINGAU: A week-long search and rescue operation has failed to locate two young Indonesian siblings swept away by flash flood here.
The operation, involving firefighters from Sook and Nabawan stations along with police, was suspended after seven days.
Authorities said they will resume the search if new information emerges.
The incident occurred on Sept 24 in Sungai Talangkai Karamatoi Ulu, Sook, when a sudden surge of water overwhelmed a workers’ shared house at 5pm.
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Their parents, who were preparing to bathe the children, lost grip of them when logs carried by the flood struck their home. The parents survived with injuries and are receiving treatment at the Keningau Hospital.
Sook Fire and Rescue Station Chief Faisal Ahmad said the search covered 17 kilometres along the river.
“The remote location, lacking phone and radio coverage, complicated rescue efforts. Despite using heavy machinery and expanding the search area, no traces of the children were found,” he said.
Keningau District Police Chief Supt Yampil Garai said while heavy rain occurred, residents were unprepared for the unprecedented flash flood in the area.
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