The location where an express boat believed to be carrying more than 200 passengers capsized today is known to be deep with dangerous rapids, according to Sarawak Assistant Minister for Culture and Heritage, Liwan Lagang.

He said there were also large rocks in the river at Giam Tukok, about 40 minutes' downriver by boat from Belaga bazaar and where 21 passengers remained missing until tonight.

When contacted in Belaga tonight, Liwan who is also Belaga assemblyman, said that based on the survivors' accounts, it was one of the large rocks that had caused the heavily-laden express boat to tilt sideway and eventually sank.

"I was informed by one of the survivors that the boat driver had earlier tried to avoid hitting a floating log in the river and while doing so, the rear side of the boat hit a rock which resulted in it tilting uncontrollably," he said.

Liwan said he was coincidentally flying past the area in a helicopter from Sungai Asap, Belaga, when he noticed the express boat beginning to sink.

He then requested the helicopter pilot to land somewhere near the scene before organising villagers from two longhouses in the area to rescue about 30 passengers, while some others on board managed to swim to safety.

Police in Belaga confirmed that 181 passengers survived the mishap, and according to Liwan, among them were young children.

"There were more than 10 (young children) in the boat as they were travelling with their families for the Gawai holidays," he said.

Liwan, who spent about three hours with the survivors, said he would remain in Belaga for the night to continue assisting the relevant authorities in the search and rescue operation.

As at 8pm today, Belaga district police chief, DSP Bakar Sebau could not be reached to confirm whether the operation had ceased for the night.

- Bernama