Machang: A boy, aged 13, is feared drowned after disappearing while bathing in Sungai Ulu Sat this afternoon. The Machang Fire and Rescue Station, led by chief Ahmad Alfarra Mohamad Zain, received a distress call at 4.33 pm and arrived at the scene within 30 minutes to commence the search operation.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the search team scoured the water’s surface of the river for approximately one kilometre. However, operations were halted at 7.47 pm and are set to continue tomorrow around 8 am.

The boy reportedly jumped into Sungai Sawa in Kampung Belukar to rescue his 15-year-old brother, who had fallen into the river. The brother managed to save himself by clinging to the side of a wall, while the younger boy is believed to have been swept away by the currents. Machang district police chief Supt Ahmad Shafiki Hussin confirmed there have been no signs of the missing boy during the search.

Ahmad Shafiki has appealed to the public for information regarding the incident and urged anyone with details to contact the nearest police station.