Two Pemalang Boys Drown While Cleaning Animal Offal for Sacrifice

Two boys from Karanganyar Village, Bantarbolang Subdistrict, Pemalang Regency, Central Java, died after drowning in the Comal River while cleaning animal offal for sacrifice.

The tragic incident occurred around 9:30 AM on Wednesday when the victims, accompanied by a witness, joined a sacrifice committee group preparing to clean offal in the Comal River.

Pemalang Regency Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) Head Agus Ikmaludin stated the boys arrived at the river on a single motorcycle with three people. Upon reaching the river, they were seen playing in the water and swimming across.

“The victims are suspected to have drowned while swimming in the Comal River,” Ikmaludin said in the incident report.

The deceased were identified as Lesmana Keket Budiman, 14, and Syafi Asyauqi Rien, 12, both residents of Karanganyar Village, Pemalang.

“According to witness accounts, one was found dead at the scene. Syafi Asyauqi Rien was evacuated and taken to Bantarbolang Clinic, but his life could not be saved,” he added.