KUALA LUMPUR: The four-wheel-drive vehicle swept away along with a man during a flash flood in the Klang River near the Pintasan Saloma (Saloma Link) on Monday (Nov 17) has been recovered about 1.5km from the incident site.
The search continues for the missing man, authorities said.
Dang Wangi OCPD Asst Comm Sazalee Adam said the vehicle was located at 8.30am on Wednesday (Nov 19) after the search and rescue (SAR) operation resumed for the day.
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"The vehicle was found without the victim after the river water level dropped by almost one metre.
"The weather today is relatively good, and SAR operations will continue until 7pm," he told reporters at the scene.
He added that the discovery of the vehicle would help authorities focus on potential current pathways that may have carried the missing man away.
The recovered vehicle has been handed over to the owner’s company.
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"All resources from the Fire and Rescue Department, the Civil Defence Force and the police have been fully mobilised, including 21 divers who are divided into four search zones," ACP Sazalee said.
"Drones, small boats and kayaks are also being used to cover nearly 20km of the Klang River.
"We have divided the area into four zones, and the search will extend beyond the Selangor border if necessary," he said.
He also confirmed that the victim’s phone, which was still ringing on Tuesday (Nov 18), is no longer active.
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"However, we are continuing to seek clues to narrow down the search area.
"Yesterday, the river currents were strong, but today the water is calmer, clearer, and safer for divers. The four search sectors set yesterday will continue, and the 20km stretch will be carefully examined," he said.
He added that any suspicious river structures or obstacles would be treated as hotspots for divers to investigate.
Earlier reports said a man working on improvement works along the Klang River was feared to have drowned after being swept away by a flash flood near the Saloma Link at 5.40pm on Monday.
According to ACP Sazalee, there were 13 workers at the site during the incident, 12 of whom were rescued. They included seven Indonesians, four Bangladeshis, and a local worker.
