SAR Expanded For Child Swept Away In Cheras Drain 

KAJANG, May 2 (Bernama) -- The search and rescue (SAR) operation for a nine-year-old girl feared drowned after being swept away by strong currents in Bandar Mahkota Cheras yesterday continued today, with efforts expanded to include the underground drainage system.

Selangor Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Operations Division Assistant Director Ahmad Mukhlis Mukhtar said the operation, which began at 8 am, involved a search radius of about five kilometres.

“One team moved from the rubbish trap and turned back to this location, while the Water Rescue Team (PPDA) will navigate the drainage system from where the victim fell, wading nearly 300 metres through the culvert towards Sungai Long,” he told reporters at the scene here today.

He said among the main challenges in the operation was inspecting underground culverts reaching depths of up to 50 feet, with a diameter of about two metres.

To facilitate the operation, the SAR team is also utilising specialised equipment, namely a pole camera belonging to Indah Water Konsortium (IWK), to monitor the narrow spaces within the drainage system.

Ahmad Mukhlis said that besides IWK, the operation also involved cooperation from the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID), Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the  Civil Defence Force (APM).

Commenting on the incident yesterday evening, he said the victim had been playing ball with three friends near an apartment area when the ball fell into a drain and she attempted to retrieve it.

“We were informed that one of her friends managed to grab her hand, but the strong current caused her to slip away,” he said.

In the incident at about 7.08 pm, the Fire and Rescue Department received an emergency call regarding the incident at the Sri Hijau Condominium, Bandar Mahkota Cheras.

-- BERNAMA