The firefighters being briefed before initiating the SAR operation for two missing hikers at Mount Matang Mariamman Temple on Jan 2, 2023.

KUCHING, Jan 3: Two hikers who spent the night in the jungle after losing their way during a hike at Mount Matang Mariamman Temple in Matang yesterday (Jan 2) have yet to be found.

The search and rescue (SAR) operation conducted by the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) Sarawak continued this morning, following unsuccessful attempts by a team of firefighters from the Petra Jaya Station, along with police assistance, to locate the two individuals who took the Charles Brooke route the previous night.

Upon responding to the emergency at 7.38pm, the SAR team initiated a search based on the coordinates provided by the hikers via WhatsApp but were unable to find them at the specified location.

The firefighters contacted the victims, who reported being uninjured, but informed that they may not be reachable on their mobile phones which were running low on batteries. The victims were advised to stay at their current location.

Four villagers including a tour guide for Matang recreational areas also joined and assisted in the search at about 11pm.

However, given the unknown location of the victims, unfavourable weather conditions, and darkness, the SAR operation was postponed at midnight. — DayakDaily