CHUKAI: With the ninth body found, the search continues for the last victim in the Jeram Air Putih water surge tragedy.
The body of Muhammad Fikri Saliman, 24, from Batu Pahat in Johor, was spotted on a sandbank some 2km from the scene at 9.20am yesterday.
The body was recovered at 11.20am and has been sent to Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah, said Kemaman district police chief Supt Hanyan Ramlan. It was confirmed to be Muhammad Fikri after fingerprinting at the hospital in Kuala Terengganu.
“The condition of the body after seven days made it impossible for a physical confirmation,” he said when met at the operation control centre at Air Putih Police Station here, according to Bernama.
Muhammad Fikri’s body will be handed over to his next of kin for funeral arrangements.
“The search and rescue operation will continue for the last victim (Putri Nor Fatin Karim, 14),” said Hanyan.
Terengganu Fire and Rescue Department Zone 2 chief, Senior Superintendent II Azman Alias, said “the water level of the river has returned to normal due to favourable weather conditions”.
Last Saturday, a family of nine from Felda Lepar Hilir in Kuantan of Pahang, together with Muhammad Fikri, were having a picnic when they were swept away by strong currents caused by a water surge.
Those whose bodies have been recovered are Karim Abdullah, 39, his wife Azizah Eiyi, 40, as well as their children Putri Balqis Izzati Abdul Rahman, 18, Putri Alleya Maisarah Karim, 16, Muhammad Zulqarnain Haikal Karim, 11, Putri Nurerina Natasya Karim, 10, Muhammad Haziq Ziqree Karim, six, and Putri Aryana Umaira Karim, four.
Muhammad Fikri was said to be engaged to Putri Balqis Izzati.
