KUCHING: No new leads have surfaced in the search and rescue (SAR) effort for crocodile attack victims Mohammad Adami Moktar in Telaga Air and the remaining body parts of Sebarang Bingkok in Lundu.
A spokesman from the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department operations centre said as of 1.30pm today, the teams did not find any clues as to the whereabouts of the missing victims.
In the search for seven-year-old Adami in Kampung Nyabut, Telaga Air, the second day of the operation today involved water surface searching as far as 5km along the river.
A total of 28 rescuers comprising the Fire Department’s diving team, Safety Water and Rescue Team (SWART), K-9 unit, the police, Civil Defense Force (APM), Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) and Volunteer Corps Department (Rela), are involved in the operation.
Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department Zone 1 chief Yusri Basri said the team had spotted about two or three crocodiles during their search.
“We fear that there could be a lot more crocodiles around the area. Given the hot weather now, it is possible that it is the season for the reptiles to surface or to mate or find food to survive.
“Hence, my advice to the residents living by the riverbanks is to always be cautious when carrying out activities by the river,” he said.
On the day of the incident, Adami was crouching on the high ground of the riverbank before a crocodile emerged from the river and dragged him away at about 8.30am.
Yusri speculated that the reptile could be about 20 feet long and two feet wide, based on its tracks.
Meanwhile, the fourth day of the search for 56-year-old Sebarang in Kampung Kangka, Lundu, remained fruitless with a total of 54 rescuers comprising the police, APM and local villagers involved in the operation.
On May 19, a SAR operation was activated to locate the remaining body parts of Sebarang after his head was found floating in a river by a member of his family at 4pm.
Lundu police chief DSP Damataries Lautin said the head was later taken to Lundu Hospital for further action.
