Octogenarian Missing After Vegetable Search in Forest
SERIAN, Sarawak – An 88-year-old man has been reported missing after failing to return from a search for edible ferns in a forest near Kampung Taie. Asui Langgang left his home on Monday morning, June 17, intending to gather ferns, a common practice among locals in the area.
Search Initiatives and Initial Findings
Asui Langgang departed from his residence around 9 am on his motorcycle, embarking on a journey to a nearby forest known for its abundance of ferns. Concern arose when he did not return home as expected, prompting his family to organize a search party. They discovered his motorcycle abandoned, prompting them to alert local authorities to escalate the search efforts.
Authorities swiftly responded to the distress call, deploying firefighters from the Serian station and a K9 unit to the location. The search area, located approximately 20 kilometers from Serian, was meticulously surveyed, focusing on a 2km radius around the abandoned motorcycle. Key areas such as an oil palm plantation and nearby rivers were thoroughly examined in the initial phase of the operation.
Ongoing Search and Rescue Efforts
Despite the concerted efforts of the search and rescue (SAR) teams, Asui Langgang remains unaccounted for at the time of reporting. The SAR operation, now in full swing, involves a total of 35 personnel drawn from various agencies and local volunteers. Among them are firefighters, police officers, members of the Civil Defence Force (APM), and volunteers from the People’s Volunteer Corp (Rela).
Community Response and Concern
The disappearance of Asui Langgang has sparked widespread concern within the local community. Residents of Kampung Taie and surrounding areas have rallied together to assist in the search efforts, offering support to both the family and the SAR teams involved. Local leaders have also joined in, urging anyone with potential information about Asui’s whereabouts to come forward and aid in the ongoing search.
Conclusion
As the search continues, authorities remain committed to locating Asui Langgang and ensuring his safe return. Efforts are being intensified, with SAR teams expanding their scope and employing additional resources to cover more ground effectively. Updates on the situation will be provided as soon as new developments arise.