A spokesman for the Sarawak fire and rescue department said the bodies of all five missing rowers whose boat capsized were recovered this morning, Bernama reported.

He said the bodies were discovered between 6.16am and 7.09am.

“The remains of all five victims have been found. We are now awaiting confirmation from the police and the health ministry,” he was quoted as saying.

“The remains of two victims were located at 6.16am, one at 6.40am, while the Sarawak coastguard found another victim at 7.07am. The last victim was recovered at 7.09am with the assistance of a drone.”

The five victims have been identified as Ikhmal Sama’ail, Majurie Maharuf, Afiq Isyamudin Asaari, Khairul Bidin and Khairul Hisyam Kasturi, aged 22 to 35.

It was previously reported that a total of 16 people were on the boat when it capsized but 11 of them had managed to save themselves.

According to Bernama, the police confirmed that the victims were all staff of the Sarawak security and enforcement unit, which is under the state premier’s department.

The participants were training for the highlight of the Sarawak regatta and Kuching waterfront festival on Nov 1-3.