A man was found drowned on Sunday after reportedly going out to catch mangrove crabs in a swamp area at Kampung Tebing Tembah, Paka here yesterday.
Paka Fire and Rescue Station operations commander, Senior Fire Officer II Irwan Rashid, said the search and rescue operation for Mohd Afiq Ahmad, 36, was activated after authorities received a report at 7.21am on Sunday. Swift response efforts are often carried out in such cases due to the risks associated with swampy and waterlogged terrain.
He said the victim was believed to have left his home at about 10am on Saturday to set crab traps in the swamp area. The search operation was conducted based on information received, before the victim was discovered at around 10am on Sunday.
Firefighters carried out extensive search efforts in the swamp area before locating the victim. Such environments are known to be challenging due to poor visibility, soft ground conditions and hidden water channels that can pose serious hazards.
The body was handed over to police before being sent to Dungun Hospital for post-mortem examination.
Meanwhile, the victim’s brother-in-law, Mohd Hafis A Talib, 47, said Mohd Afiq, who resided in Kampung Mengabang Lekor, Batu Rakit, Kuala Nerus, had been staying with him in Kampung Tebing Tembah along with his mother for the past three weeks.
He added that the victim had gone out to set crab traps about 1.5 kilometres from the house to pass the time. Activities in rural swamp areas are commonly carried out by locals for both leisure and small-scale income, despite the risks involved.
Mohd Hafis lodged a police report at about 11pm after the victim failed to return home, as he was concerned for his safety due to his medical condition involving epilepsy.
