Bomba deploys K9 unit in search for teen feared drowned in Petra Jaya

KUCHING (Feb 21): The search for a teenager feared drowned after falling into a river at Kampung Kolong Sungai Tengah in Petra Jaya here has entered a new phase, with the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) deploying its K9 unit to assist in the search-and-rescue (SAR) operation.

Bomba said its K9 unit, Bella, arrived at the scene at about 2.20pm, with the SAR operations resuming at 3.20pm.

“At 10.15am earlier, the search team conducted water surface searching using a grappling iron as well as searched along the riverbank, but to no avail.

“The search was conducted within a 5-kilometre radius towards the river’s downstream,” Bomba said in a statement.

The victim, identified as 16-year-old Fahrell Zaquan Hasbullah, was reported to have been playing with a friend along the riverbank on Friday when he slipped and fell into the river, and was swept away by strong currents.