KOTA KINABALU: Two people are believed to have drowned after falling off an overturned boat in Tenom district.

       The two, a man in his 50s and a 10-year-old boy, were swept away by strong river currents following the afternoon incident on Wednesday (Sept 22).

       State Fire and Rescue Department assistant director of operations, Misran Bisara said according to initial information, the two victims were on the boat together with two others.

       They were on their way home from buying groceries and were crossing the Padas river when the boat was hit by strong waves.

       Two people - a man and woman - managed to swim to the riverbank while the other two were swept away by strong river currents.

       "Rescue and search operations are ongoing for the missing two," Misran said.

       He said the scene of the accident could only be accessed via train and it would take about an hour to reach.

       "We will give more details when we receive them from our rescuers on the ground," he said.