Missing Foreigner Found Dead In Baram River, Body In Jaws Of Croc

KUCHING, Nov 7 (Bernama) -- An Indian national, who was reported missing and feared to have drowned in the croc-infested Sungai Kuala Tutoh, Baram in Miri on Wednesday, was found dead this morning in a decomposed state.

A spokesman for the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department's (JBPM) operations centre said the victim, identified as Prashant, 21, who worked as a crew member on a ship anchored downstream of Kampung Kuala Tutoh, was found at 9.30 am, about one kilometre (km) from the last location where he was feared to have drowned.

"When the search team found him, a crocodile was seen biting the victim's left arm. The victim's entire left hand was missing and is likely to have been devoured by the reptile.

"The exact cause of death has yet to be determined … whether it was related to a crocodile attack or otherwise. The victim's body was handed over to police for further action and then taken to a hospital for a post-mortem," he said today.

The search and rescue operation, which lasted two days and ended at 11 am, involved personnel from the Marudi Fire and Rescue Station, using a Triton outboard engine and an aluminium boat.

Also assisting in the operation were the police and the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM).

On Wednesday, the media reported that the Sarawak JPBM received information from the Marudi police headquarters (IPD) regarding the missing victim after the foreigner was believed to have been bathing in the river and was swimming back to the ship before vanishing from sight.

-- BERNAMA