9 stranded, 8 swept away by surging waters at Sg Pertak

Eight people who were swept away by swift currents are missing while nine others were reportedly stranded in three separate incidents involving different groups when the water level of Sungai Pertak in Kuala Kubu Bharu near here surged yesterday evening.

Selangor fire and rescue department assistant operations director Asrul Riezal Asbar said the eight missing people comprised an individual from a group of Yemeni nationals and locals, and seven from a group of 11 locals.

“From the first group, one was swept away and has yet to be found. Upstream, there are about 11 people. Of the 11, seven were in the water and were swept away by the current,” he said when met by Bernama.

The nine stranded individuals comprised four that did not cross the river and five from another group reported to be stranded across the river.

Asrul Riezal said the department received a distress call at about 5.55pm and arrived at the scene at 6.30pm.

“We also received a call from the Orang Asli who led the group… the search is ongoing. We have opened an incident control post to monitor water conditions and the surrounding areas to locate victims stranded at any location,” he added.