Canines from the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department being taken around the beach. — Bernama photo
PASIR PUTEH: Tracker dogs were used in the search and rescue operations for two teenagers feared drowned at Pantai Tok Bali, which entered its sixth day yesterday.
The canines from the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) were taken around the beach here, up to Perupok, Bachok, about 10km away, in the operation which began at 7.30am.
Pasir Puteh Fire and Rescue chief Assistant Fire Officer Azhar Elmi Mustofar said the canine unit was utilised to assist in detecting both teenagers, who still have not been found since they were reported missing while swimming at the beach on Sunday.
He said the operation today involved 146 personnel from JBPM, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), Kelantan Education Department, a team of divers from Pulau Perhentian as well as the People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela), with 26 assets including a ship, helicopter, boat and jetski.
“An aerial operation up to 15 nautical miles from Pantai Tok Bali will be launched as soon as the weather improves,” he told Bernama when contacted here, yesterday.
Azhar Elmi said the operation launched since Sunday had yet to yield any result due to bad weather and waves as high as 1 to 1.5m occurring daily.
In the incident at 4.13pm, two friends identified as Ahmad Haziem Anizam, 14, and Amir Azfa Rafar, 13, of Selising here, were feared drowned while swimming at Pantai Tok Bali.
Two others, Muhammad Firdaus Mustafa, 16, from Kampung Taweh, Gaal, here, and Amir Shahir Zakima, 13, from Kampung Nering here, managed to swim back to shore safely. — Bernama