SAR team expands search radius to 0.5 square kilometres for missing Hulu Selangor teen hiker

“HULU SELANGOR, May 25 — The search and rescue (SAR) operation for a 19-year-old girl believed to have gone missing during a hiking activity at Bukit Changkat Asa here entered its third day today, with the search radius expanded to 0.5 square kilometres. Kuala Kubu Bharu fire station chief Azliza Ahmad told Bernama at the scene that as of noon today, the operations were focused on the eastern area of the Incident Command Post (PKTK) using the sweeping technique. She said a total of 90 personnel, comprising members of various security agencies and volunteers, were involved in the operation, which was also assisted by three K9 units - two from JBPM and one from the Royal Malaysia Police. “Today’s operation also involves the use of drone units from the Selangor Government Disaster Management Unit,” she said. Azliza added that agencies involved in the operation included the Malaysia Defence Force (APM), the Forestry Department, the Department of Wildlife and National Parks Peninsular Malaysia (Perhilitan), and the Forestry Mountain Guide Association. According to her, the Bukit Changkat Asa hiking trail involves an 800-metre route to the summit, which stands at a height of 267 metres, with hikers using the same trail for the descent. “So far, no new leads have been found, and the SAR team is relying solely on information obtained from the victim’s family in the search efforts,” she said. The media previously reported that Nur Izzati Humaira Azizul, was believed to have gone missing while descending the hill with her family after deciding to walk ahead alone because she felt hot and tired at about 10.50 am last Saturday. The victim was last seen wearing a long brown headscarf, a dark green long-sleeved shirt, black trousers, and blue shoes. Meanwhile, local resident Khalidah Khalil said hiking activities at the hill are often popular among the public, especially on weekends, including among students from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) and families, adding that such an incident had never occurred before. Khalidah, who has climbed the hill nine times, described the trail as relatively easy, while Bernama’s observation found that the track at the location was clearly visible, free from thick undergrowth, and surrounded by trees that were not overly tall. The victim’s family members were also present at the PKTK to follow developments in the search operation, but declined to be interviewed by the media. — Bernama

Summary generated from the RSS feed of Malay Mail Education. All article rights belong to the original publisher. Click through to read the full piece on www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia.