The swift current of Sungai Rajang continues to hamper efforts, now in its 10th day, to refloat the ‘Kawan Mas’ express boat which sank at Giam Bungan, last Tuesday.

Today, the team working to refloat the boat is assisted by three “expert” local divers, Pilot Jelawang, Kajan Juloi and Telegi Tang, from Sekapan Panjang, but their efforts were still futile.

Belaga district police chief DSP Bakar Sebau said following the failed attempts, the operation was halted at 4pm and put on hold for three days to look for the best method to refloat the boat.

However, he said, the search for those still missing would continue.

“Operations (to refloat the boat) will be put on hold for three days because of several factors, among them to find the best method, for safety reason as water from the Bakun Dam, which was closed since yesterday, has been released and also lack of resources,” he told reporters at the scene of the capsized boat.

On today’s operation, Bakar said it was hampered by the swift river current which made difficult to hoist the cable to the capsized boat.

“The three divers were able to reach the boat at the riverbed, but were not able to hoist the cable because of the swift current,” he added.

The plan was that when the cable is hoisted to the boat, it will be pulled up with a winch chain tied to two tractors on standby at the river bank.

Bakar said a meeting with the state disaster committee would be held in Kuching tomorrow to discuss the matter.

He said that until yesterday, the number of people who survived the tragedy increased to 213 people.

“Yesterday, six more victims lodged police reports in Kapit to say that they were among the survivors in the incident,” he added.

 The six survivors are Anthony Jawing Anak Awi, Awi Anak Panau, Delam Anak Ngabang, Jelina Anak Buah, Johnny Anak Kana and Limping Anak Tarang.

He said two people, Maurice Ajan, 22, and Roslin Jati, 34, were still missing, while the body of Tujok Lah had been found.

- Bernama