KUALA NERUS, Jan 10 (Bernama) -- The search and rescue (SAR) operation for a five-year-old boy feared drowned at Pantai Batu Rakit here yesterday afternoon resumed at 9 am today.
Kuala Nerus Fire and Rescue Station (BBP) chief Azmi Omar said the search area had been expanded to cover an eight-kilometre stretch along the beach.
He said a total of 26 rescue personnel had been deployed for search operations along the coastline and at sea using a Kevlar boat.
“Personnel involved include those from the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (JBPM), the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), the Civil Defence Force (APM) and the Volunteer Fire Brigade.
“We are facing some difficulties due to weather conditions, high waves and strong currents since last night,” he said when met at the SAR Control Centre (PKB) at the beach.
In the incident at about 6.43 pm yesterday, the boy identified as Muhammad Zarif Mohd Hazahari was feared drowned after being swept away by waves.
At the time of the incident, he was playing by the beach with his aunt, and was reportedly washing his feet at the water’s edge when he was swept away by waves before disappearing and is believed to have drowned in the area.
Meanwhile, the boy's mother Siti Hajar Ismail, 42, hopes that the rescue team will be able to locate her son, whether he is found alive or deceased.
She said that on the day of the incident, her fifth child out of six siblings had gone to the beach with his aunt, Siti Nurul Aina Sahirah Ismail, 31, and two male cousins to get some fresh air.
“I truly did not expect this to happen. All night I could not sleep thinking about Muhammad Zarif’s fate at sea.
“I really hope he (Muhammad Zarif) is still alive, but if otherwise, I accept Allah SWT’s will. My hope is that his body can be found as soon as possible, in whatever condition,” she said when met at the beach.
Siti Hajar said Muhammad Zarif was supposed to start school at a Pusat Asuhan Tunas Islam (PASTI) near their home tomorrow.
She added that besides the ongoing search and rescue (SAR) operation by rescue personnel, her mother, Khatijah Yusof, 65, has been continuously reciting the Quran at the incident site since yesterday afternoon as an additional effort to pray for Muhammad Zarif to be found safely.
-- BERNAMA
