SIMUNJAN: All search and rescue (SAR) assets will be redeployed to Sebuyau following the discovery of a body and debris from the helicopter which went missing yesterday.
The body was found slumped on a bank of the Batang Lupar river.
Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department director Norhisham Mohamad said operations centres in Betong and Sri Aman have been closed.
"Operations will now be centered in Sebuyau, at the Batang Lupar river. The search area will begin from Kampung Sungai Merah to Lingga," said Norhisham at a press conference at the Sebuyau jetty today.
He also said the SAR team had only recovered one body of a victim from the crash, contrary to what was claimed in rumours spread via WhatsApp.
Meanwhile, the Fire and Rescue Department's SAR team operations head Azman Julaihi said the search radius in Batang Lupar had been expanded to 100km sq.
Azman said the body was recovered intact, some two hours after helicopter debris was found.
"The body was found at about 12pm, an hour after a search boat left the Triso jetty in Sebuyau.
"The body and the debris were only two kilometres apart," said Azman.
As of now, the rescuers are being assisted by the marine police and civil defence members. The total manpower involved now is 50.
"We will also rope in fishermen in the search. The operation will continue until midnight and resume tomorrow."