The victims being buried in Kuantan on July 4. – BERNAMApic
KUANTAN: Family members of the victims who died in the Jeram Air Putih water surge tragedy are relieved to have been able to fulfil the responsibility of laying their loved ones to rest.
They were grateful to those who helped recover the victims' bodies.
Mohd Ismail Eiyi, 36, the younger brother of Azizah Eiyi, 40, one of those killed in the tragedy, said the family was relieved although only seven bodies of the nine victims had been found so far.
"Alhamdulillah... the burial went smoothly. Although we were able to bury only seven of them, it is all right," he told reporters after the funeral at Felda Lepar Hilir 3 Islamic Cemetery here on Tuesday (July 4) night.
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The remains of Azizah and her husband Karim Abdullah, 39, and their five children, Muhammad Zulqarnain Haikal Karim, 11; Putri Nurerina Natasya, 10; Muhammad Haziq Ziqree Karim, six; Putri Aryana Umaira Karim, four; and Putri Balqis Izzati Abdul Rahman, 18; were buried in one grave.
The bodies arrived in seven hearses accompanied by a police patrol car from Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah in Kuala Terengganu. They were first brought to the Ubbudiah Mosque for the funeral prayers.
Also present at the funeral were Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, Felda chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek and Pahang police chief Datuk Yahaya Othman.
Mohd Ismail said the family was now preparing for the funeral of Putri Alleya Maisarah Karim, 16, whose body was found on Tuesday; and also praying that his other niece, Putri Nor Fatin Karim, 14, who is still missing, would be found.
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Another person still missing in the tragedy is Muhammad Fikri Saliman, 24, from Batu Pahat, Johor, the fiancé of Putri Balqis Izzati.
It was reported on Sunday (July 2) that 10 people, including a family of nine, were missing after they were swept away by a water surge during a picnic at the waterfall. – Bernama
