They were identified as Amatie Mohamad and Enine Danial. Four other students in the boat and the skipper were reported to be safe.

The Operations Centre of the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department was informed of the incident at 7.01am today.

According to its spokesman, the 20-foot fibre boat, with six students from Curtin University, Miri, and the skipper, was believed to have capsized while conducting observation and research on wildlife in the lake area.

He said a passing boatman saw the group and reported the matter to park manager Anthony Chong, who sent a rescue team of five men to the location.

Meanwhile, Loagan Bunut National Park Rescue Operations chief Kamal Abdullah, when contacted by Bernama, confirmed that the team had arrived at the scene, but had yet to find the two students as at 9am today.

He said the search and rescue operation would continue with the assistance of Fire and Rescue Department personnel and the police.

The journey from Marudi to Long Tinjar takes four hours and includes an additional hour’s ride by boat from Long Teru to reach Tasik Loagan Bunut.