SEARCH and rescue (SAR) teams have intensified efforts to locate the final missing victim of the Sungai Luit flash flood tragedy, deploying divers to a search area identified through clues from the K9 unit.
The operation, now in its fifth day, began at 8.30am today with 43 personnel from various agencies, including 26 Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) personnel and 17 supporting agency members.
Selangor JBPM Operations Assistant Director Ashrul Riezal Asbar said the search area had been divided into two main sectors, C and D, to ensure a systematic and comprehensive operation.
He said the K9 unit began scent searches in Sector C at 8.50am to identify potential locations for further searches.
“Following the clues identified by the K9 unit, the Water Rescue Team (PPDA) conducted diving operations in the area.
“At the same time, boat teams carried out Donut/Expanding Square and surface-searching techniques in both sectors to widen the search area,” he said in a statement today.
The operation follows the discovery of the seventh victim's body on Friday.
Selangor JBPM director Datuk Wan Md Razali Wan Ismail said the body of an unidentified Indian national was found at 3.40pm in Sector C.
Eight men were swept away by strong currents last Monday, with the first victim, a Malaysian, found at 1.30am the following day near Pertak Bridge, about 2.7km from the incident site at Lata Jebus.
Lata Jebus is believed to be where seven of the eight victims were swept away, while the remaining victim is believed to have been carried away from an area near the Sungai Pertak picnic site.
The search is also supported by the JBPM Air Unit, which is using a drone for aerial monitoring and to identify potential search locations.
A total of 25 personnel were deployed for the morning operation, using five boats comprising three JBPM vessels, one from the Batang Kali Volunteer Fire Brigade and one from the Royal Malaysia Police.
Ashrul Riezal said plans for the afternoon search would depend on assessments of weather conditions, water levels and river currents.
“Personnel safety remains our priority, particularly as the operation area has experienced two previous flash flood incidents, on Nov 11 at 3.30pm and Nov 14 at 1am.
“These factors are taken into account when planning operations, particularly in relation to changes in river flow, riverbed conditions and risks to rescue personnel,” he said.
The integrated SAR operation will continue, with agencies pooling their expertise and resources to locate the remaining victim. - November 15, 2026
