KUANTAN: The search for an Indonesian labourer who is feared to have drowned after being swept away by strong river currents at Sungai Lembing near here entered the fourth day today.
Logging company worker Suprianto, 43, was attempting to swim across Sungai Mas about 4pm on Jan 26 before he was reported missing.
Taman Tas fire station chief Mohd Hilmi Kashfi Mat Zali said the search and rescue operation has been expanded up to a 26km radius from the spot the victim was last seen.
"The Fire and Rescue Department's Water Rescue Unit divers and K9 tracker dogs are assisting to locate the missing man. The river water current is strong but the water level is receding," he said when contacted today.
Meanwhile, Kuantan police chief Assistant Commissioner Wan Mohd Zahari Wan Busu said according to a witness at the scene, the missing man was swimming across the swollen river during the incident.
Wan Mohd Zahari said the victim had entered the river and was swimming towards the riverbank when he suddenly faced difficulties, and was swept away by strong currents before he disappeared.