Two kids still missing after Kapuas River tragedy in Sintang

Sintang, Thekabarnews.com—The strong current of the Kapuas River swept away two children on Thursday, February 12, in Kampung Ladang, Sintang District, West Kalimantan. A joint search and rescue team is still looking for the children.

The sad event happened while four kids were bathing and swimming near the riverside, which is something that happens a lot in the neighborhood, according to local media.

Head of the Pontianak Search and Rescue (SAR) agency I Made Junetra said that things got worse very rapidly when the water abruptly drove the kids toward the middle of the river.

“They were swimming like they often do when the tide pulled them to the middle, and they perished,” Junetra added.

People were able to save one youngster, Kimberly, soon after the event. Angel, another victim, was found early Friday morning, February 13, at about 1:15 a.m. local time.

“Rescuers took the victim out and gave her to the family,” Junetra said.

In the meantime, two additional kids, Dira Dwi (11) and Feni (14), are still missing. The Joint SAR Team, comprising Basarnas, TNI/Polri personnel, the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), and local volunteers, has been utilizing rubber boats to search the river, closely monitoring areas where they believe the current might be strong.

The search concentrates on areas where trash and river flow patterns could potentially indicate the location of the missing individuals. Officials claimed that the strong current of the Kapuas River has made things harder.

Officials have warned people to be careful when they do things near the river.

“The current of the Kapuas River is strong. We ask the public, especially kids and parents, to be more careful,” Junetra added.

As relatives and residents wait for news, the search operation goes on.