Rescuers searching for the drowning victim at Sungai Benut. -- Pic courtesy of Fire and Rescue Dept
Rescuers searching for the drowning victim at Sungai Benut. -- Pic courtesy of Fire and Rescue Dept

PONTIAN: A search-and-rescue operation is currently underway to locate a 53-year-old man feared drowned at Sungai Benut here today.

Fire and Rescue Department operation commander Azhar Abd Jalil said they were alerted at 10.30am that a man was missing in Sungai Benut.

A total of 17 rescuers, including members from the Fire and Rescue Department, police, marine police, and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, in the operation to locate the victim identified as Samsudin Bachok.

Azhar said a detailed search of the riverbed and riverbanks was conducted immediately, but their efforts to locate the victim were futile at press time.