KOTA KINABALU: Authorities have launched a search and rescue (SAR) operation on Monday (Nov 25) after a 51-year-old man failed to return home from a fishing trip in the Kota Belud district.
The victim, Noordin Punjuh, reportedly left his home at 11am on Sunday (Nov 24) to fish at Sungai Kampung Lebak Moyoh.
When he did not return later that day, a family member went to the river at 10pm and found only a fishing net, a waist bag, phone, slippers, and a bucket by the riverside.
The Fire and Rescue Department was alerted to the incident at 8.28am on Monday, while villagers had already begun an early search for the victim.
"A team from the Kota Belud fire station sent 14 firemen along with their K9 unit, with police (13), Civil Defence Force (3), and villagers (35) also participating in the search.
"The SAR on the first day was divided into seven teams conducting a surface water search and searching along the riverbanks, using boats and assisted by the tracker dog from the K9 unit.
"The entire search covered 8kms... The victim has yet to be found, and the SAR will continue on Tuesday (Nov 26)," said the department spokesman.
Meanwhile, in a separate case in the Papar district, a 34-year-old man is feared lost in a forest after failing to return home from a rubber tapping activity.
The department received the emergency call at 6.56pm when the victim's older brother, Andy Chia, reported to the police for assistance.
The victim reportedly left his home at Kampung Tanaki at 6am and family members became concerned when he did not return by nightfall.
"The team from the Papar fire station proceeded to the location to gather further information and activate the SAR," said the spokesman.
