KUANTAN, Jan 22 — A man is feared drowned after he was swept away by strong currents in Sungai Tanum while descending with a group of climbers from Gunung Tahan in Kuala Lipis today.
Lipis District police chief Supt Azli Mohd Noor said they were informed of the misfortune that befell the climber identified as Haniff Harun, 47, of Kampung Paloh Haji Daud in Kuala Terengganu at 2.20 pm today.
“The victim is understood to have been with nine other climbers accompanied by a mountain guide and porter using the access route in Merapoh.
“They started the climb on Friday (Jan 20) and were expected to descend on Tuesday, but were forced to turn back to Kuala Juram due to bad weather,” he said here today.
Azli said the group had to subsequently cross a river about 20 metres wide during their descent.
A search and rescue (SAR) operation that was activated this afternoon involved police and firefighters, including a Mountain Cave Search and Rescue (Mocsar) team, but so far only found the victim’s gear near the scene of his disappearance. — Bernama
