Incident in Sungai Pegalan

Two teenage boys were swept away by strong currents in Sungai Pegalan at Kampung Bakti in Keningau, Sabah, on the afternoon of August 22 and were later found dead. The victims were identified as Jasti Gomen, 16, and Khend Rommel Ponce Caceres, 13. As reported by Malay Mail, drawing on a Sabah Fire and Rescue Department statement, both bodies were recovered on August 23.

According to one account carried by Malay Mail, the incident took place at about 2.30pm when the boys were bathing with friends, fell off the riverbank and were carried away by the current. Separate reporting from Malay Mail and The Star, citing the Malaysian Civil Defence Force, stated that the boys were standing along the riverbank when they suddenly fell in and were quickly swept away.

Recovery of the Bodies

The body of Jasti Gomen was located at 10.34am on August 23 in Kampung Bakti, about 50 metres from the spot where the pair were believed to have entered the water, according to multiple reports from Malay Mail and The Star. Malay Mail later reported that the body of Khend Rommel Ponce Caceres was found at 3.55pm, roughly 80 metres from where he had been swept away.

The Sabah Fire and Rescue Department said both bodies were handed over to the Royal Malaysia Police for further action, after which the search and rescue operation was called off at 5pm on August 23.

Search and Rescue Timeline

Family members contacted police after learning the boys were missing, prompting the response. Malay Mail and The Star reported that the Keningau District Operations Control Centre of the Malaysian Civil Defence Force received information about the incident via social media at 7.24pm on August 22, with personnel arriving at the scene by 7.39pm to verify the report and meet the families.

A separate account in Malay Mail stated that the Sabah Fire and Rescue Department received an emergency call at 3.15pm on August 22 and launched an initial search that was suspended at 6pm because of weather conditions and fading daylight. The operation resumed at 9am the next day and was divided into two sectors covering a three-kilometre stretch of the river; a diving operation by five members of the Kuala Penyu Water Rescue Team began at 10.30am.

Personnel Involved

Reports from Malay Mail and The Star described a joint search and rescue team of 29 personnel that included seven police officers, nine firefighters and 13 Malaysian Civil Defence Force officers, supported by specialised vehicles and an ambulance. Malay Mail, citing the fire department, additionally noted the deployment of 15 Sabah Fire and Rescue Department personnel from the Keningau and Kuala Penyu stations, along with seven Royal Malaysia Police officers, 13 Keningau Civil Defence Force personnel and five members of the local volunteer group Galon Star.

The operation focused on the river and surrounding areas until both victims had been recovered.