KOTA BELUD (Feb 10): The body of a 16-year-old girl who went missing while swimming with her family near a stone quarry in Kota Belud was found yesterday afternoon. The tragedy occurred during a family visit to her late father’s relatives in the area.
A spokesperson from the Fire and Rescue Department confirmed that the victim’s body was discovered at 3.34 pm, about 3.5 kilometres from the Control Post on Scene. She was found by members of the public and rescue personnel.
“The victim was pronounced dead at the scene by the police. Her body was then sent to the hospital for further procedures,” said the spokesperson.
The teenager was reported missing on Sunday at around 3.58 pm after a distress call was made. A search and rescue operation was launched immediately, involving surface searches using a rescue boat, with assistance from local police and villagers.
The second day of the search saw the involvement of the underwater rescue team and a K9 unit to aid in locating the missing girl.
Usukan assemblyman Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak visited the search site to show his support for the family and rescue team. He provided moral support to the victim’s family, who waited anxiously by the riverbank during the operation.
In a separate incident earlier today, an elderly disabled woman was rescued from rising floodwaters in Kampung Indah Jaya, Lahad Datu. The Fire and Rescue Department received a distress call at 5.48 am and reached the scene within 10 minutes.
The woman, who was trapped in her home due to the rising waters, was safely evacuated using a stretcher. She was relocated to a relative’s home nearby.
