THE search for 19-month-old Hud Aryan Mohd Nor Hafifi, who was reported missing since the night before last, ended when his body was found at 4.20pm.
The child's body was found stuck in a tree at the river estuary in Kampung Kerila, Tanah Merah, Kelantan.
The body was found after 45 hours of the child being reported missing, about three kilometers from the victim's family's home.
Search and rescue (SAR) personnel had reportedly passed the location several times but at that time, failed to notice the victim.
Tanah Merah Fire and Rescue Station chief, Mohd Zulkifli Osman confirmed the discovery of the body.
He said the victim's body was sent to the Tanah Merah Hospital (HTM) for an autopsy and the family was also asked to go to the hospital.
"When the incident occurred, the river water level was high, and today the water had receded, leading to the discovery of the victim," he said.
The atmosphere in the victim's family's home was shrouded in sadness when both of Hud Aryan's parents received the devastating news.
Earlier, the media reported that the SAR operation, which began this morning, was assisted by two dogs from the Fire and Rescue Services Department K9 unit.
Villagers also joined in the SAR.
Hud Aryan was last seen at about 7:20pm on Monday, when his family realised he was missing. The gate to the house had been left open, raising further concerns.
Azean Irdawati Ramley, Hud’s 44-year-old aunt, explained that prior to the disappearance, his mother was feeding him inside the house before she left to the kitchen. - February 26, 2025
