Search Widened For Boy Feared Drowned In Bandar Puncak Alam

KUALA SELANGOR, April 29 (Bernama) -- The Selangor Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) has expanded its search and rescue (SAR) operation to a five-kilometre radius in efforts to locate a boy feared drowned after falling into a drain in Bandar Puncak Alam yesterday.

Bestari Jaya Fire and Rescue Station operations commander, Assistant Fire Superintendent Azreel Izaidi Ahamad said the second day of operations extends along the waterway from Lorong 12/30, Cahaya Purnama, where the victim was reported to have fallen, to the Alam Jaya Industrial Park area.

“The search is being carried out according to the water flow pattern, as the strong current is believed to have swept the victim downstream, while also taking into account possible interruptions in the flow at several points,” he said when met at the scene here today.

Azreel Izaidi said that a total of 19 personnel were involved in the operation, comprising members from the Bestari Jaya Fire and Rescue Station, the Water Rescue Unit (PPDA) and the K9 Unit.

He said that the K9 Unit had been deployed to trace any clues at the location where the victim was believed to have fallen, before the search was broadened to nearby culverts and drains.

“The search in the culvert does not involve diving due to the low water level, with personnel instead walking through the area,” he said.

Azreel Izaidi said that inspections were also carried out in underground passages such as manholes and curved sections to ensure the victim was not trapped, with rescue personnel also searching the area towards the estuary of the small river and Sungai Buloh, as outlined in the Fire and Rescue Department’s action plan.

Selangor Fire and Rescue Department assistant director (operations) Ahmad Mukhlis Mokhtar said yesterday that a 10-year-old boy was feared to have drowned after falling into a drain and being swept away by strong currents in Bandar Puncak Alam before the SAR operation was activated.

--BERNAMA