IPOH: Two men, aged 42 and 50, drowned at Kampung Orang Asli Sungai Tonggang in Tanjung Rambutan here today.
Perak Fire and Rescue Department operations assistant director Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad said the department received an emergency call at 2.55pm requesting assistance to retrieve the victims.
He said firefighters from the Tambun Fire and Rescue Station arrived at 3.28pm and found police personnel at the scene.
"The men were found unconscious near the river, about 600 metres from the access point. Our personnel had to trek through the jungle to reach them," he said in a statement.
Firefighters retrieved the men using stretchers, with personnel wearing personal flotation devices during the operation.
The victims were carried across the river and handed over to Health Ministry personnel, who confirmed both had died. Their bodies were then handed over to the police for further action.
Eight firefighters, supported by a fire rescue tender and an emergency medical rescue services vehicle, took part in the operation, alongside five police personnel and six Health Ministry personnel.
The operation ended at 5.05pm.
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