Bima floods claim four lives

MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: A flood in the three subdistricts of the Rasanae district in the Bima regency claimed four lives Tuesday evening, the district chief Achmad Mutalib said yesterday.

Achmad said the four victims were Yopi Mantika, 21, Iwan Taruna, 19, Burhan A. Rachman, 22, and Kaharuddin, 31, whose bodies were found by security officers and local citizens at the mouth of Bima straits Wednesday night. The victims were buried yesterday.

He told Antara they were in a group of six who were swimming in the strong currents of the Padolo river near the town of Raba. Rescue team saved the other two, Taufik, 21, and Sahrul, 15.

Achmad called on the public, especially children, to avoid swimming in the river because of its strong currents during the monsoon. (01)