Two teenagers drown in separate Sarawak river incidents; one missing at Bintulu waterfall

Two tragic drowning incidents in Sarawak resulted in the deaths of three teenagers with one other still missing. A 15-year-old boy, Sylvester Jarbis Mesin, drowned near Sungai Bangkit Katibas in Song on March 22. His body was found about 100 meters from where he was last seen around 12:30 pm; rescue teams reached the remote site after traveling 65 kilometers, according to Malay Mail.

In a related case, two 12-year-old boys, Tristan Mariss Marissa Erna and Darren Dakun Paruscrum, drowned while swimming at Sungai Plan Lot waterfall in Kidurong, Bintulu. Erna's body was recovered earlier in the day, while Paruscrum’s was found late at night following the incident on March 21. Reports indicate that other teenagers, aged between 12 and 14, remain missing after going swimming there.

The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department continues to conduct search and rescue operations for the missing youths at the Bintulu waterfall, as confirmed by several sources including Malay Mail and The Star Malaysia. The exact number of missing persons has varied slightly between reports, but authorities maintain an active presence in the area to locate them.

These incidents underscore safety hazards at natural water sites in Sarawak, where swimming and bathing in remote rivers and waterfalls are common. Local officials have not yet announced additional safety measures or public warnings following the drownings; efforts remain focused on recovery and rescue.

Authorities and residents will closely follow ongoing search efforts and any forthcoming directives regarding safety protocols at these locations. The community remains attentive to updates as they highlight broader concerns about youth safety in Sarawak’s natural recreational areas.