An eight-year-old boy who was reported missing in Sungai Ganggarak Permai yesterday afternoon has been found drowned, authorities confirmed.
The body of Putra Faris Suhaimi was discovered floating at about 3.30pm today, roughly 50 metres from where his slippers were found the day before, suggesting he had drifted downstream.
Labuan Fire and Rescue Department director Abdul Rahman Ali said emergency teams were alerted at 6.36pm yesterday before launching an immediate search and rescue (SAR) operation at the scene.
He said a total of 14 firefighters from the Layangan Fire and Rescue Station were deployed to the location, supported by police personnel, the Tanjung Aru Water Community Fire Brigade, the Wildlife Department and local residents.
The SAR operation involved the use of both small and large boats to search along the river, with wildlife officers assessing potential environmental risks, including the possibility of crocodiles in the area.
Authorities confirmed that the victim’s body has been sent to hospital for post-mortem examination.
The tragic discovery has brought an end to the search operation that mobilised multiple agencies and members of the local community.
