MUKAH: The body of one of two siblings, who drowned after being swept away by a strong current while bathing in the Batang Mukah River yesterday, was recovered late this afternoon by a search and recovery (SAR) team.

A police SAR team found the body of 10-year-old Dexper Kiu Kuang Wei approximately 2km from the spot where he was last seen.

The search, however, continues for his 7-year-old sister, Susie.

The SAR operation for the day was called off at 5pm.

Susie's body had yet to be recovered, while Dexper's body has been taken to the hospital mortuary for a possible post-mortem examination.

The siblings had gone to the river near the "yellow bridge" at Kampung Bedanga at around 4pm yesterday with their mother for an evening bath.

The bridge is located along the Mukah-Balingian highway.

As neither of the children could swim, they were unable to fight the strong current. Their mother made a desperate attempt to save them but was unsuccessful.

The search and rescue teams, which include the Fire and Rescue Department, Civil Defence Force, People's Volunteer Corps (Rela), the Sarawak River Board, and 36 villagers, resumed their search for the siblings at 8am today.

In addition to conducting a "water surface search," they also used grappling hooks to try and recover the bodies.

A cadaver dog from the Fire and Rescue Department's K9 unit was also deployed to assist in the search.