Two teachers drown, eight rescued in Kota Belud boat tragedy

Two teachers drowned after a boat with 10 people on board capsized while on its way to Pulau Mantanani, near here from Kampung Rampayan Laut, Sunday evening.

A spokesperson for the Kota Belud Fire and Rescue Station said the dead were identified as Limun Gamburud, headmaster of Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Mantanani and Kamariah Hamdan, a teacher in the same school.

"Both victims were pronounced dead by medical officers and eight more victims who are being treated at the Kota Belud Hospital. They are reported to be in stable condition," he said when contacted by Bernama.

He said the Kota Belud Fire and Rescue Station received information about the incident at 3.45pm and a team of eight firemen in a fire engine arrived at the scene about 25 minutes later.

The rescue operation ended at 7.25pm.

Mohd Mustazar Bundah, a teacher at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Arshad and also Kamariah's relative said he was shocked and saddened by the incident.

He said Kamariah who had just been transferred from SK Nahaba was very concerned about the wellbeing of her students.

"The last time I met her, I had asked about her teaching experience there (SK Mantanani). According to her (Kamariah), every place and school had its own challenges," he said adding that she leaves behind four children.