Girls drown in ‘forbidden’ swim at disused Johor mining pond
Two girls lost their lives after they sneaked out of their houses for a swim at a disused mining pond in Taman Nusa Damai, Pasir Gudang.
The bodies of Nur Azdriana Nor Hassan, 11, and Yunis Semut, 10, were found after a four-hour search by the Johor Fire and Rescue Department scuba unit at about 10pm on Sunday, reported The Star.
The two were among three children who went to the pond to swim despite their parents warning them to stay away.
Nur Azdriana’s younger brother Muhammad Aiman, nine, who was with them, watched in horror as the two drowned.
James Seli, 38, pointing at the pond where his relative Yunis drowned with a neighbour. Photo: The Star
In relating the incident, Aiman said they planned the trip a day earlier but told their parents that they were going out to play with their friends.
Aiman said that as soon as they arrived at the pond, Yunis jumped into the water.
Several minutes later, she began to struggle to keep afloat.
“My sister (Nur Azdriana) then jumped in to try and save her (Yunis).” - Muhammad Aiman, nine, who witnessed the two girls drowning
He said he saw both girls struggling before disappearing into the water.
Aiman then ran back to his home about 20 minutes away to inform his mother of what had happened.
“Our parents warned us against heading out without permission,” he said at their home in Taman Scientex in Pasir Gudang.
The two victims lived in adjacent rows at the housing estate.
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