Body of fourth victim in Yan floods found

 

Fire and Rescue Department deputy director-general Abdul Wahab Mat Yasin being briefed on rescue operations in Yan. (Bernama pic)

YAN: The body of the fourth victim of the floods and landslides caused by the upstream water surge in the Gunung Jerai area was found in Sungai Udang, here, today.

Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) deputy director-general (operations) Abdul Wahab Mat Yasin said the body of Mohamad Faizal Mohd Zohir, 28, who went missing in Titi Hayun, was found at 3.10pm after the search area was widened.

“Two other victims are still missing in the Titi Hayun and Batu Hampar areas.”

Noting that the search operation involved an area covering a 7km radius, he said there was a possibility that the victims were trapped or buried under the flood debris.

“Therefore, it requires a thorough search and the help of the K9 unit,” he told reporters after inspecting the scene at Titi Hayun.

Abdul Wahab said JBPM also used two drones to conduct aerial surveillance of the search area, which he hoped could help speed up the process of locating the other two missing victims.

He said the operation also involved fire and rescue personnel from Penang, Perak and Perlis.

As of 4.30pm, four victims were found dead and one injured. Two others are still missing in the incident that occurred at about 5pm yesterday.

Apart from Mohamad Faizal, the other victims who were killed in the incident were Zahinor Murad, 65, who was found at 12.10am today and Ahmad Din, 64, whose body was recovered at about 6.30pm yesterday.

Another victim was The Jerai Hill Resort employee Sharuzi Mohamad, 53, who was found dead in a landslide area at 10.35pm yesterday.

Abdul Wahab said the injured victim, Abdullah Murad, 64, who was also Zahinor’s brother, was found yesterday evening. - FMT