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Three policemen were killed in a suspected electrocution incident in Beaufort, Sabah, yesterday afternoon, 6 August
According to the New Straits Times, the Sabah Fire and Rescue Department said it received an emergency call at 5.56pm before dispatching seven firefighters from the Beaufort Fire and Rescue Station to the scene.
All three policemen were pronounced dead at the scene outside the Weston police station.
Videos of the incident have since circulated on social media.
Screengrabs from social media.
Image via Social mediaThe victims' bodies have been sent for post-mortem examinations at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kota Kinabalu
The victims, all attached to the Weston police station, were identified as:
– Corporal Chiu Teck Siong, 40, from Sarawak;
– Lance Corporal Mohamad Nur Hafiz Ibrahim, 29, from Kelantan; and
– Lance Corporal Muhammad Raimi Ismarubee, 26, from Terengganu.
Beaufort district police chief Supt Champin Piuh said the remains of the three policemen will be sent back to their respective hometowns following the completion of the autopsies and necessary documentation.
The deceased policemen were identified as Chiu Teck Siong, 40; Mohamad Nur Hafiz Ibrahim, 29; and Muhammad Raimi Ismarubee, 26.
Image via Anwar Ibrahim (Facebook)Police believe the trio were electrocuted after a long iron pole they were using to harvest coconuts came into contact with an overhead power line
Preliminary investigations revealed that the trio was using a 29-foot iron pole to harvest coconuts. After finishing the task, one of the policemen is believed to have lost his balance while moving the pole.
The pole reportedly came into contact with a Sabah Electricity overhead power line, electrocuting the first officer. The other two officers were also electrocuted when they rushed over to help their colleague.
Police have opened an investigation to determine the exact cause of the incident.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for a thorough, transparent, and immediate investigation into the tragedy
In a Facebook post yesterday, Anwar said the investigation is crucial to determine the cause of the incident and ensure measures are taken to prevent similar tragedies from recurring.
He also extended his condolences to the victims' families and the police force over the loss of the personnel.
"Their service and sacrifice in safeguarding the nation's peace and security will always be remembered," he stated.
