Woman swept away in Bidor water surge found safe

IPOH: The woman who was swept away in a water surge phenomenon in Kampung Poh has been found safe.

Perak Fire and Rescue Department director Sayani Saidon said the woman, a 33-year-old Indonesian named Hernani, was found but three children aged from two and seven are still missing.

"It has stopped raining. The water is still murky but receding," she said in a statement on Wednesday (Feb 7).

"Search and rescue operations are still ongoing along the river," she said.

Sayani said seven people, which included three women and four children, were picnicking near a river at the village before the disaster struck.

She said all seven had been trapped and isolated on a sand bank in the middle of the river earlier before being swept away.

"They had shouted for help and villagers managed to rescue a woman, identified as Aslinda Bani, 38, and a 12-year-old boy, Muhammad Adam Muqrish Rozi.

"The body of Aslinda's 37-year-old sister Aszura Bani was found near a bridge later at about 4.30pm, about 1km from where they were swept away," she said.

Sayani said seven people, comprising three women and four children, were picnicking near the river when the water surge struck.

She said all seven were trapped on a sand bank in the middle of the river earlier before they were swept away.

"They shouted for help and villagers managed to rescue a woman, identified as 38-year-old Aslinda Bani and a 12-year-old boy, Muhammad Adam Muqrish Rozi.

"The body of Aslinda's 37-year-old sister Aszura Bani was found near a bridge at about 4.30pm, about 1km from where they were swept away," she said.

Sayani said a K9 unit has been roped in for the search.

"Currently, we have eight firemen from the Bidor station, six from the Teluk Intan Water Rescue Unit and three officers in the operation, as well as 22 policemen and 15 villagers," she said.