DARO: A search and rescue (SAR) operation for a 14-year-old boy feared to have been attacked by a crocodile at Sungai Kelai, Pulau Bruit, here has ended after seven days with no trace of the victim found.
The incident was reported at about 5.45 pm on Dec 26 near the Sungai Kelai jetty at Rumah Panjang Jingga, Pulau Bruit.
Personnel from the Fire and Rescue Department’s (Bomba) Daro station were deployed and arrived at the scene at about 6.10 pm. The location is approximately 36 kilometres from the station.
The victim was identified as Agustine Fernando Nyalong, 14.
On the seventh day of the operation yesterday (Jan 2), the search commenced at 9 am involving multiple agencies as well as villagers from nearby communities.
The search area covered a stretch of the river from the first trap placed near the location of the incident to the eighth trap installed near Kampung Sebako. However, no crocodiles were found in any of the traps.
Search efforts were hampered by heavy rain and choppy river conditions, which affected visibility and access along parts of the river.
The operation continued until about 1.30 pm before all agencies convened a coordination meeting at 2 pm chaired by Operations Commander DSP Rahim Mihos to determine the next course of action.
Following discussions and agreement among all agencies, as well as consultations with the victim’s family and villagers, a decision was made to end the SAR operation at 4.10 pm.
Authorities also thanked all agencies and members of the public involved for their cooperation throughout the operation.
