MIRI (Dec 19): Tragedy struck near the Asean Bridge in Kuala Baram as an Indonesian man, identified as Salim, went missing today, believed to have been attacked by a crocodile.
The incident occurred while Salim was fishing along the Sungai Baram riverbank with a friend. According to the Lutong Fire and Rescue Station (Bomba) chief, Henry Jugah, the station received an emergency call around 4.50pm, sparking an immediate response from the rescue team.
Upon reaching the location, rescuers were informed that Salim, dressed in a blue top, had been pulled into the river. A search-and-rescue (SAR) operation was promptly launched, covering a one-kilometre radius around the site of the incident.
Despite their best efforts, the rescue operation had to be halted at 6.30pm as daylight faded, hampering visibility and safety. The SAR mission is set to continue tomorrow morning at 8am, with hopes of locating the missing individual.
This unfortunate event highlights the dangers of crocodile-infested waters in the area, urging residents to exercise caution when near riverbanks.
As the search continues, the incident serves as a grim reminder of the need for awareness and preventive measures to avoid such tragedies in the future.