14 missing villagers found safe

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KINABATANGAN: Rescuers yesterday found the 14 villagers from Kampung Paris Satu who were reported missing after going into the Ulu Segama Forest Reserve.

District police chief Superintendent A.Sahak Rahman said the 14 villagers aged between 20 to 58, were found at two different locations.

The first five men who had gone into the forest reserve, some 35 kilometres away from Kampung Paris Satu, were found at Balat Estate, at around 10.15am.

They were reported missing after failing to return home from a fishing trip at Sungai Bilong, Ulu Segama Forest Reserve, on June 21.

Meanwhile, the nine other villagers who had gone in search of the five men on June 23 were also found at around 1.20pm at the Ulu Segama Forest Reserve Control Post.

A.Sahak said on June 25, the Kinabatangan police station received a report regarding the missing 14 villagers, prompting the police to activate a search and rescue (SAR) operation.

Initial police investigation found two four-wheel drive vehicles parked near the Ulu Segama Forest Reserve.

“On the first day of operation, we focused on the trail used by the victims to enter the forest.

“From the tracking efforts we found plastic containers of food, empty cigarette packets and the place where they had used to rest. The SAR operation was postponed at 5pm due to darkness.

“We are glad that all the victims have been found safe on the second day of the SAR operation although most of them are exhausted,” he said.

A.Sahak said the SAR operation included the police, Forestry and Fire and Rescue Department staff, villagers and families of the victims.