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ALOR SETAR - Three people, including two boys, drowned while another boy survived after they were swept away by strong currents during a water surge phenomenon at Taman Eko Rimba Sungai Sedim near Kulim today.
Kulim district police chief Supt Syamsul Sinring said the Kulim District Police Headquarters (IPD) Operations Room received a report from the public on the incident at about 2.38pm.
He said the deceased comprised a woman and two boys, but the identities of all the victims have yet to be confirmed.
"The incident is believed to have been caused by a sudden water surge phenomenon, while the emergency siren at the location was reported to have malfunctioned when the incident occurred," he said in a statement today.
He said further investigations are underway to determine the actual cause of the incident.
Meanwhile, Kulim Hi-Tech Fire and Rescue Station chief Senior Fire Superintendent Mohammad Haiqal Izwan Nasir said his department received an emergency call on the incident at 2.27pm.
He said a fire and rescue team was deployed to the Sungai Sedim waterfall recreational area after receiving reports of a water surge phenomenon involving several victims.
"Based on preliminary information, three victims comprising a woman and two boys were swept away by strong currents at the upper section of the hill," he said.
He said firefighters conducted monitoring and search operations before being informed by members of the public that all the victims had been found floating in the middle section of the hill.
The fire and rescue team subsequently retrieved all the victims from the scene for further action. - BERNAMA
