A MAN in his 40s who was reported missing has been found dead at the summit of a waterfall near Kampung Teluk Sanau in Baling, Kedah, early this morning.
Baling Fire and Rescue Station chief Zulkhairi Mat Tanjil confirmed that his team received a distress call from police at 2.34am, requesting assistance in a search and rescue operation deep within the forested waterfall area.
“Firefighters arrived at the scene shortly after and began the ascent, trekking approximately three kilometres through narrow jungle trails to reach the summit,” said Zulkhairi.
Upon reaching the location, the team discovered the man unconscious at a spot roughly nine metres above ground level. He was later pronounced dead by medical personnel from the Ministry of Health (KKM), who had also joined the rescue operation.
“The terrain was extremely challenging — steep, slippery rocks, uneven surfaces due to the waterfall’s natural structure, and compounded by light rain and darkness,” Zulkhairi added.
It took nearly two hours for rescuers, assisted by police, health officials, and local villagers, to lower the body from the remote location. The man’s remains were handed over to police for further investigation.
No identification documents were found at the scene, and the operation concluded at 6.23am.
According to initial accounts, the man had ventured into the forest the previous day to forage for stink beans and wild vegetables but was reported missing by his younger brother after failing to respond to phone calls.
Local residents discovered the body at the waterfall’s peak during the early hours and alerted authorities. - August 15, 2025
