Two more bodies found

Tragic ending: An aerial view of Sungai Teladas after the water surge tragedy at Jeram Air Putih in Kampung Teladas. — Bernama

Seventh and eighth victims of water surge tragedy identified

CHUKAI: The bodies of two more victims in the water surge tragedy at Jeram Air Putih here have been recovered.

The recovery of Putri Balqis Izzati Abdul Rahman, 18, and Putri Alleya Maisarah Karim, 16, yesterday has brought the total number of victims found to eight so far.

The search and rescue operation is continuing for two more victims – Putri Nor Fatin Karim, 14, and Muhammad Fikri Saliman, 24.

Kemaman OCPD Supt Hanyan Ramlan said the remains of Putri Balqis Izzati were spotted at sector B, behind Kampung Dadong mosque here by villagers at 7.45am.

She was 24km from the location of the incident, he added.

Halimah Kasim, 63, (left) and Eiyi Johari, 60, Azizah’s parents, are waiting at Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah to claim the bodies for burial. — Bernama

“Putri Alleya Maisarah, meanwhile, was found on a sandbank 2km from the scene.

“Her body was just 500m from that of her brother’s, Muhammad Zulqarnain Haikal Karim, who was recovered on Sunday,” he told reporters at the Air Putih police station operations control centre here.

Last Saturday, a family of nine from Felda Lepar Hilir in Kuantan of Pahang, together with Muhammad Fikri, were having a picnic when they were swept away by strong currents caused by a water surge.

Those who have been recovered so far are Karim Abdullah, 39, his wife Azizah Eiyi, 40, as well as their children Muhammad Zulqarnain, 11, Putri Nurerina Natasya Karim, 10, Muhammad Haziq Ziqree Karim, six, and Putri Aryana Umaira Karim, four.

Muhammad Fikri was said to be engaged to Putri Balqis Izzati.