The West Manggarai Search and Rescue Team and East Manggarai Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) in East Nusa Tenggara, with the help of local security personnel, have recovered the bodies of two people who drowned at Wae Musur Dam in Ranamese district.

East Manggarai BPBD head Antonius Dergong, said the team found the first victim, identified as Ferianus Radus, 18, on Monday, the body of Firman Y. Saputra, 18, was found on Tuesday afternoon.

“We’re glad we found their bodies after an intensive search over the past three days,” he said on Wednesday.

The victims, both high school students, were reported missing on Sunday. They were reportedly swimming in a river near the dam with friends, one of whom, named locally as Alvian, was carried away by a current, The two youths attempted a rescue but got into difficulties themselves. Alvian survived and was being treated in a community health center on Monday.

Prior to the search operation on Monday, locals conducted a customary ritual for the search personnel, beating gongs and other traditional instruments around the dam in the hope it would help the team find the victims.

The bodies of Firman and Ferianus have been returned to their families. (rin)