Four students drowned in river

BOGOR: Four university students drowned after they were swept away by a flash flood while crossing the Ciandong River in Bogor on Saturday afternoon, police say.

The four are Dwi Haryanti, Kirana Agustiorini, Adi Wibisono and Mohamad Solihin. They all were economics students from Sahid University in Pancoran, South Jakarta, holding an outing in the area.

Cibungbulang Police detectives chief Second Insp. Saepudin Gayo said the four along with a survivor, Didin Mihidin, had tried to cross the river during heavy rain. While in the middle of the river they were hit by a sudden wall of water. Only Didin managed to hold onto a large stone.

"I was shocked ... but I tried to not to panic. I ended up having to hold on to a tree root for 15 minutes before I managed to reach the shore," Didin said.

Search teams of police, locals and students found the bodies of Solihin and Adi on Sunday morning. Dwi and Kirana were still missing on Sunday night.

Saepudin said it was difficult to find the victims because the river levels were still high. -- JP