Floods: Man reported missing on New Year's Eve found dead

Rescue officials retrieving the victim’s body.

KOTA KINABALU: A man who was reported missing in a flood-related accident near here on New Year's Eve has been found dead.

The 26-year-old Filipino victim, known only as Kaerul, was last seen swept away by strong river currents when trying to cross the Kg Kinadaan road at Kg Matanggal, Paitan, on Dec 31.

He was last seen wading through water that was approximately five feet deep before he was swept away by river currents.

State Fire and Rescue Department operations chief Misran Bisara said Kaerul’s body was found stuck on some tree root some 1.8km from the accident scene.

“He was discovered around 6.15pm on Tuesday (Jan 4),” he said, adding that the body has been handed over to the police for further action.

This is the second direct flood-related death reported in Sabah.

The first was a victim identified as Rajis Nawang, 28, who had gone to the river to put up nets at Kuala Penubukan, Paitan on Dec 31. His body was discovered on Jan 1.

Meanwhile, Sabah’s flood situation has slightly improved but the number of evacuees in temporary shelters remains at 3,385 people as of 8am on Wednesday (Jan 5).

Six districts remain flooded while a total of 30 temporary shelters are still open.