A 12-year-old boy has drowned and his 13-year-old friend is missing after a swimming trip to a waterfall in Bintulu, with search operations ongoing.

BINTULU: A 12-year-old boy has drowned and his 13-year-old friend remains missing after they went swimming at a waterfall this afternoon.

The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) said the body of Tristan Mariss Marissa Erna was recovered at 5.20 pm.

He was found five metres from the riverbank in waters estimated to be nine metres deep.

The search for the second victim, identified as Daren Dakun, is continuing.

A JBPM spokesman said the two boys were at the Sungai Plan Lot waterfall in Kidurong with two other friends.

The group, which included a 13-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl, are believed to have been swimming from about 2 pm.

They were last seen around 2.30 pm.

The fire department received an emergency call at 3.22 pm.

A team from the Kidurong Fire and Rescue Station was immediately dispatched to the scene.

 The Sun Malaysia