KUANTAN – Three missing individuals including a boy are believed to have been swept away by mud floods in Bentong, says Pahang Fire and Rescue Department assistant director (operations) Ismail Abdul Ghani.
He said the three were part of a group of 35 individuals who were putting up at a chalet, and were trapped by the mud floods at 11.40pm on Saturday.
“All of them are locals, with the other two being an adult man and a woman, but so far, their identities have not been ascertained,” he said in a statement yesterday.
According to Ismail, the survivors, including eight children, were found shivering after being outside the chalet, as they did not dare to stay inside over fears for their safety.
A search and rescue operation was mobilised as soon as the authorities were alerted and the rescue team managed to find the survivors at 4.09am before the evacuation operation ended over four hours later.
However, he said, after a headcount, three victims were found missing.
The operation was conducted by the Genting Highlands Fire and Rescue Station, with assistance from its Gombak counterpart and members of the Special Tactical Operation and Rescue Team of Malaysia in Pahang.
The search for the missing victims, involving 22 officers and firefighters as well as three tracking dogs, was temporarily suspended at 6.30pm yesterday, and resumes today. – Bernama, December 19, 2021
