Berakas Beach Tragedy: 2 Die, 1 Missing
By Shafiyi Azahari

Bandar Seri Begawan - Two foreign nationals drowned, a third is missing at sea, while another is fighting for his life in hospital after an outing to the Berakas, beach turned into tragedy for a group of holidaymakers from Malaysia and the Philippines.

One of the dead was identified as Chee Kong Chui, 57, a Malaysian man, while the other was a Filipino woman, Maria Stella, 21.

The missing person, Raya Marella, 20, is feared drowned while Violeta Agagad Atote is fighting for her life at the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital. Both women were also from the Philippines.

A police investigator from the Berakas Police Station who was at the scene said that the victims

and their friends gathered at the beach to celebrate a friend's birthday before going for a swim at around noon (See location map on right).,

Ten-foot high waves are believed to have led the swimmers into difficulties at sea.

From what was gathered of their identifications, the victims were holidaying in the country.

"Three divers will continue to search for the missing person till morning," said Station Commander Abd Kahar Takong of the Lambak Kanan Fire Station.

He said they arrived at the scene at 2.45pm, just after the surviving victim was rushed to the hospital and the bodies of the two drowned persons was swept up on the beach.

"Waves were -about 10 feet high at the time of the incident," said Abd Kahar.

He advised the public to avoid undertaking any form of water activities at the beach as the current uncertain weather is .causing turbulence on the seas.

Radio Television Brunei reported last night that the Royal Brunei Police Force also advised the public to avoid swimming at beaches because of the unusually-strong waves.

Heavy rains have contributed to strong waves that produce an undercurrent dangerous to unsuspecting swimmers.

Meanwhile, an official from the Forestry Department responsible for the Berakas recreational park said that the forest reserve is closed to the public from today until further notice.

The reserve, located about 20 minutes from the capital, is a popular place for camping, hiking and barbecues as well as beach-goers. Besides the Fire and Rescue department, five marine divers from the Divers Unit of the Royal Brunei Navy, Royal Brunei Police Force and Ripas rescue personnel were involved in yesterday's operation. -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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