Cambodian divers recover bodies of missing Singaporeans (1st Lead)

Nov 25, 2007, 6:19 GMT

Phnom Penh - Cambodian police divers recovered all five bodies of the Singaporean rowers missing since their dragon boat capsized during annual races in the capital, Phnom Penh municipal police chief Touch Naroth said Sunday.

'The search began again early this morning and we found all five bodies at the confluence of the three rivers less than 2 kilometres from where they fell into the water,' Naroth said.

Cambodian police said earlier Sunday they had recovered the bodies of two of the five missing rowers, who had fallen from their boat as they were trying to dock after a race in what witnesses described as a freak accident.

Another 17 members of the Singaporean crew were immediately rescued and treated for minor injuries following the accident, which occurred late Friday afternoon.

A massive rescue effort failed to locate five other rowers after the narrow wooden longboat capsized, and police feared the worst after so many hours in the strong currents of the Tonle Sap river.

The Tonle Sap meets the Tonle Bassac and Mekong rivers just after the finish line of the three-day annual races, where it forms whirlpools and powerful currents.

More than 400 boats competed in the Water Festival this year, which celebrates the end of the monsoon season.