TWO BOYS FOUND DROWNED IN TASIK MENAWAN

JOHOR BAHRU, Oct 22 (Bernama) -- The bodies of two boys were discovered last night, believed to have drowned in Tasik Menawan, Taman Pelangi Indah here.

Johor Jaya Fire and Rescue Station operations commander Shafie Md Don said a distress call was received at 9.44 pm, and a rescue team arrived at the scene about 10 minutes later.

“Upon arrival at the scene, we found two pairs of slippers by the lake, believed to belong to the two children, aged nine and 10, who had been reported missing.

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“The rescue team conducted a surface search within a 25-foot radius before divers from the Water Rescue Unit (PPDA) continued the operation using the arch pattern technique,” he said in a statement today.

He said the victims were found at a depth of about 10 feet beneath a rock, approximately five metres from the lake bank, at 2.28 am.

Shafie said the two victims were pronounced dead at the scene and their bodies were handed over to the police for further action.

Authorities confirmed the identities of the boys as Muhammad Rayyan Iskandar Mohamed Hafizie, 9, and Muhammad Khalish Rayqarl Hasimibudi, 10.

The rescue operation, carried out by 14 personnel from the Johor Jaya Fire and Rescue Station and assisted by a team from the Skudai station, ended at 3.05 am.

Meanwhile, when met at the Sultan Ismail Hospital (HSI) here, Muhammad Rayyan Iskandar's sister, Nur Qisha Adelia, 11, said she had recurring dreams of her brother passing away, adding that the night before he died, she even dreamt of him coming to her and asking for forgiveness.

"When I found out that my brother had drowned, I immediately remembered the recurring dream I had. I am so heartbroken,” she said.

"The night before he died, I dreamt of him asking for my forgiveness and telling me not to cry,” she said, adding that she last saw him playing football at a nearby area just before the tragic event.

"The last time I saw him was after 6 pm. I began to feel like something was amiss when he did not return home, as it was getting late. I will really miss him... after this, there will be no more laughter," she said in tears.

-- BERNAMA