MIRI: Two Nigerian university students from Curtin University Sarawak drowned when a boat ferrying them capsized after being battered by big waves in a lake in northern Sarawak.
Amate Mohamed Amate, 26, and Emine Imoh Daniel, in his 20s, died when the boat ferrying them and four other university students into Loagan Bunut National Park in the interior of northern Sarawak overturned at about 11pm Sunday.
Their bodies were found separately, not far from where the boat capsized – Amate’s body at 12.45pm and Emine’s at about 5.45pm.
Miri Fire and Rescue Department chief Supt Law Poh Kiong confirmed his office had received an SOS from the national park management in the morning.
“We utilised manpower from Miri and our Marudi office for the search and rescue operations.
“Sadly, both victims drowned,” he said.
Loagan Bunut is about five hours by land and boat from Marudi, which is two hours by land from Miri.
The national park is unique as the water level can fluctuate very rapidly in a short space of time.
The campus is located in Miri near the Sarawak-Brunei border.
The university has some 4,500 students and staff from at least 40 countries.-thestar
