KOTA BARU: The Kelantan Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) is on standby to assist in the search and rescue (SAR) operation for six hikers, including two children aged nine and 13, who remain missing after entering the Gunung Trans Gerah area in Lojing, Gua Musang.
Its director Farhan Sufyan Borhan said four members of the department’s Special Tactical Operations and Rescue Team (STORM), four firefighters from Gua Musang and six mountain guides from the district had been placed on standby.
"For now, we are on standby at the Gua Musang Fire and Rescue Station and will only be deployed if the Perak Fire and Rescue Department, which is leading the SAR operation, requires assistance,” he told Bernama on Monday (Sept 7).
The six hikers are Shafiee Sidek, 49; Hazman Mamat, 43; Wan Ahmad Aslam Wan Zairudin, 39; Siti Zulaiha Norizan, 39; Diya Raisha Wan Ahmad Aslam, 13; and Ahmad Raef Wan Ahmad Aslam, nine.
However, another individual listed on the hiking permit did not join the hike.
Farhan Sufyan said the search operation is currently focused on the Perak side, as the group is believed to have entered the state and was reportedly seen by another group on Sept 1.
He said if the group turns back and re-enters the trail from the Kelantan side, the team on standby will be deployed to assist in the SAR operation.
"Based on information from hikers, it normally takes about three days to cross all three mountains. We have yet to determine whether they became lost or whether any of them sustained injuries,” he said.
He said the journey from the Gua Musang Fire and Rescue Station to the foothills of Gunung Gerah takes about four and a half hours, including one hour on paved roads and three and a half hours on an off-road route.
Meanwhile, Gua Musang Police chief Supt Sik Choon Foo said the incident was believed to be the first such case involving a group entering the area and later losing contact.
"They had valid hiking permits issued by the state forestry department and had also hired two mountain guides. Based on the department’s records, this is believed to be their first time climbing the mountain, although they may have experience climbing other mountains.
"I was also informed that the group had experience in hiking activities, based on their decision to engage the services of mountain guides,” he said.
Yesterday, Bernama reported that six individuals, comprising four members of a family and two mountain guides, were feared missing after they began their hike on Aug 29.
Their families lodged a missing-person report yesterday after the group failed to return as scheduled on Sept 3. - Bernama
