THE bodies of three 13-year-olds, who drowned after they were swept away by strong currents while swimming in the Batang Lassa in Daro on Sunday, were recovered today.

The body of Herodias Enggung was the first to be found.

A crew member of a ferry plying the banks of the river about 1km from where the teenagers were reported missing, spotted the body at about 6.30am.

The ferry crew retrieved the body before handing it to the Fire and Rescue Department team scouring the river.

The body of the second teenager, identified as Sebastian Oziel Seman Umpi, was recovered at 8.22am, some 2km from the spot he went missing.

The body of the third teen, identified as Aldrin Gambang Allan Kiaiwas, found at around 9am about 2km from where Sebastian was recovered.

The three friends – Herodias and Sebastian from Rumah Jelam and Aldrin from Rumah Lawrence – had gone to the river late Sunday afternoon for a swim.

Another friend, who survived the tragedy, raised the alarm, which triggered the search-and-rescue operation. – October 17, 2023.