SUNGAI PETANI: After five days of rescuing Malaysians stranded by floods in Hat Yai, Thailand, a Malaysian volunteer team consisting of 45 members ended its operation.
Head of the Sungai Petani Volunteer Fire Department Leong Beng Tat said the team, comprising volunteers from Johor, Perak and Selangor and other teams from northern states, had returned home.
“There are still a few victims in the affected areas but the operation had to be stopped because several locations have been declared dangerous by the Thai military and entry is not allowed.
“Any new requests for assistance from now on will be channelled to the Thai military and police for further action,” he said, Bernama reported.
Leong said the volunteers had shown high commitment to ensure stranded Malaysians receive help.
“All members are involved on a voluntary basis and bear all costs themselves. During the operation, some of our members were injured but we are still grateful to have been able to save many Malaysian tourists who were trapped,” he said.
As of Thursday, the rescue team had successfully helped 1,500 Malaysians return home safely from Hat Yai.
