IPOH: A policeman is believed to have drowned while swimming in a water canal in Changkat Lada, Kampung Gajah, located some 30 minutes from Teluk Intan.
Perak Fire and Rescue Department operations division assistant director Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad said the victim was swept away by strong currents at about 2.45pm on Sunday (Dec 22).
"The victim, who works in a police station in Melaka, was swimming with friends when the incident occurred," he said in a statement on Sunday.
"He felt tired and tried to get to land but was swept away," he said, adding that the water was about 4m deep.
"A search and rescue operation is ongoing," he added.
It is learnt that the victim is a police corporal from the Melaka Tengah police station.
Sabarodzi said the divers from the search and rescue team conducted a search in the area.
"As at 7.30pm, there is no sign of the victim," he said, adding that the fire department's canine unit had been requested to join in the search on Monday (Dec 23).
"We will continue conducting a surface search at night and a full operation will be launched Monday morning," he said.
