Girl swept away on Gerik river feared dead as search enters second day

IPOH: A 20-year-old girl is feared dead after being swept away at Sungai Air Berok in Kampung Kerunai, Gerik.

Perak Fire and Rescue Department assistant director (operations division) Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad said the victim, identified as Nur Arina Azizan, had been playing in the waters with her relatives before she was swept away by strong currents on Sunday (Nov 17) at about 3.10pm.

“The girl was playing on a float with her 48-year-old mother and several others.

“She was seen being swept away, while the mother was rescued and brought out of the waters to the riverbank,” he said in a statement on Monday (Nov 18).

Sabarodzi said the search and rescue operation, which started on Sunday, was halted at 7pm and resumed on Monday at about 8am.

“Today’s search is divided into two groups.

“The first group would search along the river from the location of the incident, using nine kayaks and a dive team,” he said.

“The second group, which included personnel from police and Civil Defence Force, would conduct surface searching along the riverbank,” he added.