Kuala Kubu Bharu:The bodies of five individuals swept away by a water surge in Sungai Pertak, Selangor, have been recovered, while efforts to locate three missing persons continue.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Selangor Fire and Rescue Department assistant director of operations, Ashrul Riezal Asbar, reported that the first victim, V. Vijayan, a 36-year-old Malaysian, was discovered near Pertak Bridge at 1.30 am. This location is approximately 2.7 kilometers downstream from where he was initially swept away at Lata Jebus.

Four additional bodies were found near Senget Bridge, about one kilometer from Lata Jebus, at 9.20 am. The identities and nationalities of these victims have yet to be confirmed. The body of the first victim has been handed over to the police for identification, while efforts are ongoing to retrieve the other bodies discovered.

The search and rescue operation, which resumed at 7 am, involves teams deployed across four sectors. Sectors A and B cover an area extending two kilometers from Lata Jebus, while Sectors C and D focus on areas beneath the bridge and around the dam. Strong currents have posed challenges for rescuers, who must wait for the water to recede before conducting surface searches.

The operation faces time constraints due to expected afternoon rains from the Northeast Monsoon. Rescuers aim to maximize the favorable weather conditions until about 1 pm. The incident, which occurred around 5.30 pm the previous day, involved eight individuals of various nationalities being swept away, while 26 others were stranded and subsequently rescued.