SAR men falling in the Igan River continued

MUKAH, 21 September: Search and rescue operation (SAR) of a man believed to have fallen from a ditch into the Igan River near the Igan Bridge continues today with search area extended to a radius of five kilometers.

The victim, Saiful Bahri, 33, an Indonesian citizen is believed to have fallen into the river while working on a barge at about 6:15 pm yesterday.

The incident was discovered by his colleagues before being reported to the manager at the scene.

Workers then carried out an initial search using a boat around the site of the alleged crash, but the victim was still not found after more than an hour of operation.

According to the Centre for Operational Motion (PGO) of the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Sarawak, a briefing with all agencies involved for the second day SAR operation was held at 9.20 am before the search began at 9.30 am.

"S.A.R. teams are using the Water Surface Searching technique with an expanded search area up to a radius of five kilometers from where the victim is believed to have fallen.

"Water conditions are reported to have started to recede this morning, but the current is rather strong especially in areas near the estuary", according to the statement.

The last time the victim was seen wearing a black long sleeve and jeans.

So far, the victims have not been found.

The operation was accompanied by three members of the Municipal Bombing and Rescue Service (BBP) with a Hilux boat and vehicle, in addition to the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), the Malaysian Public Defence Force (APM) and the Sarawak Security and Enforcement Unit (UKPS) who also mobilized their respective boats.