KOTA KINABALU: Police are conducting a thorough investigation to determine the cause of death of a 13-year-old student found unconscious in a drain near her school dormitory in Papar district near here on Wednesday (July 16).

The girl, who was from Sipitang and also a resident at the dormitory, is believed to have fallen from the building and was found at 3am that day.

Papar OCPD Supt Kamaruddin Ambo Sakka said his department received a report on the incident at 8.16am on Wednesday.

He said the victim was taken to the Queen Elizabeth I Hospital here for treatment.

“However, she was confirmed dead at about 1pm on Thursday (July 17),” he said in a statement issued here on Friday (July 18), confirming the child’s death.

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Widespread claims on social media allege that she was a victim of bullying.

Supt Kamaruddin said the investigation was being conducted to identify the cause of death, as well as to determine the events that led to the incident.

“The public is asked not to make any speculation that could affect the investigation process, and to respect the privacy and feelings of the victim’s family, who are grieving,” he said.

Supt Kamaruddin also urged anyone with information on the case to come forward by contacting the district police headquarters at 088-912222 or going to the nearest police station.

The incident sparked calls for action from netizens against alleged bullying after the news went viral on social media.

In a Facebook post, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, who visited the mother of the Form One student at the hospital, said the ministry would investigate and provide assistance.