KUCHING: A search and rescue operation (SAR) has been launched for a 33-year-old man who is feared to have been attacked by a crocodile while fishing along the riverbank near Jalan Matang-Kampung Paroh here last night.
The man, identified as Jacob Tuan, had gone fishing when the incident occurred at the riverbank, approximately 200 metres from the main road, at around 10:00 pm.
A family member of the man had then immediately alerted the police following the incident.
According to Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), a distress call was received at 10:30 pm, and personnel of the fire and rescue teams from Petra Jaya and Batu Lintang stations were deployed to the scene.
“The team arrived the location, roughly seven kilometres from the nearest station, at 10:37 pm.
“SAR effort faced difficulties due to the thick vegetation and darkness surrounding the area,” it said in a statement.
Due to the challenging terrain and lack of visibility, the SAR operation was temporarily suspended at 12:30 am and resumed early in the morning today.
A total of 12 firefighters and personnel from the Royal Malaysia Police, Civil Defence Force and Sarawak Forestry Corporation assisted in the operation.
As of press time, the victim has yet to be found.
