PANTU: A 15-year-old boy is feared to have been attacked by a crocodile after he disappeared while trying to free a fishing net snagged underwater in Sungai Seterap here yesterday (July 21).
The victim, identified as Taufik Ezany Abdullah, was among eight people travelling in four boats to cast fishing nets in the river when the incident occurred at around 12.30pm.
According to information provided by the victim’s mother, the group’s fishing net became entangled on a submerged log during the activity.
Taufik then dived into the river to free the net but never resurfaced. His uncle later alerted his cousin, and they suspected the teenager had been attacked by a crocodile after one was seen surfacing not far from the spot where he disappeared.
Firefighters from Sri Aman station, assisted by the police, the Civil Defence Force (APM) and villagers, launched a search and rescue (SAR) operation.
Search teams conducted a surface water search at the victim’s last known location using an APM boat and six boats belonging to villagers.
At the time of writing, the teenager had yet to be found.
Authorities said communication at the scene was hampered due to the lack of Government Integrated Radio Network (GIRN) coverage.
