ROMPIN: A Finnish national on holiday in Pulau Tioman has been reported missing, said Pahang Fire and Rescue Department deputy director Mohd Sani Harul today.
Nikitin Aleksis Elis Valtteri, 20, vanished without a trace on Tuesday after planning to participate in a recreational activity at the Kampung Asah waterfall in Mukut here.
Sani said the Fire and Rescue Department launched a search and rescue operation after the victim's acquaintance, known only as Jamsari, lodged a missing person's report with the police.
Sani said initial investigations showed that the victim arrived at Kampung Paya in Pulau Tioman on Monday.
"Based on the report, the victim wanted to set up camp near Jamsari's house and promised to meet him at the waterfall the next day.
"However, after the victim failed to show up, Jamsari scoured the area but to no avail," he said in a statement here today.
Sani said Jamsari subsequently lodged a police report at the Tioman police station and an SAR operation was launched at 3.45pm today.
He said rescuers are combing an area measuring four square kilometres in Kampung Paya.
A total of 17 firemen, nine police officers and four personnel from the Malaysian Civil Defence Force are involved in the SAR operation, he said.