SAR launched for elderly woman reported missing in Engkilili

KUCHING (Jan 22): A 75-year-old woman is feared missing after leaving a longhouse in the Trusan Alow area in Engkilili on Wednesday.

The Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) said they received an emergency call regarding the incident at 8.35pm on Wednesday and deployed a team from the Sri Aman fire station to gather more information.

“The victim was reported to have left the longhouse at around 1am and was last seen near the residential area before failing to return, prompting a police report to be lodged.

“Initial search efforts were carried out by family members and longhouse residents in the surrounding area, but the victim could not be located,” it said in a statement.

A search-and-rescue (SAR) operation officially commenced this morning involving Bomba, police, and Civil Defence Force personnel as well as local villagers.

Bomba said the search radius covered three kilometres downstream of Batang Lupar and one kilometre along the riverbank.

“Search efforts were conducted several times throughout the day, but as of 5pm, the victim had yet to be found,” it said.

The SAR is expected to resume at 9am tomorrow.