Fire chief: Crocodiles and low tide made search difficult

SRI AMAN: Danger and risk are part and parcel of any search-and-rescue operation but working in a crocodile-infested river, especially in Sarawak, will certainly make anyone nervous.

The team deployed to find the wreckage and bodies of those who perished in the helicopter tragedy came across some 30 crocodiles in Batang Lupar, which is within the search area.

Sri Aman Fire and Rescue Department chief Mohammad Raffy Saibi said the team spotted the crocodiles on Friday.

“The operation lasted well into the night. On Friday night, a number of boats involved in the operation came across the crocodiles in the river.

“It was certainly a shock but we were already warned by the police about the dangers involved, especially the crocodiles in the river,” he said.

Besides the dangers posed by the crocodiles, Mohammad Raffy said the team had to deal with boat engines being trapped in the mud during low tide.

The helicopter tragedy, he said, was the biggest challenge in his career since joining the department.

“Previously, most of the cases involved missing persons. I was never involved in a high profile case like this,” said Mohammad Raffy, who joined the department 10 years ago.

Sri Aman police chief DSP Othman Sulaiman said he found using conventional methods of search and rescue to be very challenging amidst the landscape of the area.

He added that close cooperation from all the agencies involved made the operation easier. — Bernama