KOTA BARU: A 6-year-old boy is feared to have drowned while swimming in the Pergau river in Kuala Balah, Jeli, on Thursday.
Muhammad Faris Izwan was at the river with his brother and a friend when he disappeared under the water at about 3pm.
Jeli Fire and Rescue Department chief Mohd Adni Ibrahim said 18 firemen were deployed to the scene after they were alerted to the incident at about 9.25pm last night.
“According to the missing boy’s parents, they were informed about the incident by Faris’s brother, before they contacted us for help.
“We called off search and rescue operations at about 1.20am early today, and resumed our search at 8am.
“Some villagers and police personnel are also assisting the firemen,” he added.
It is learnt that the boys’ parents were not aware their sons were at the river, which is located several kilometres away from their home.