Search Area Expanded To 0.5 Square Kilometres As SAR Operation Continues For Missing Hulu Selangor Teen Hiker
HULU SELANGOR: The search and rescue (SAR) operation for a 19-year-old girl believed to have gone missing during a hiking trip at Bukit Changkat Asa entered its third day today, with authorities expanding the search radius to 0.5 square kilometres.
Kuala Kubu Bharu Fire and Rescue Station chief Azliza Ahmad said the operation was currently focused on the eastern sector of the Incident Command Post (PKTK), where teams were carrying out sweeping search techniques in an effort to locate the missing teenager.
She said a total of 90 personnel from various security agencies and volunteer groups had been deployed for the operation, which is also supported by three K9 detection units — two from the Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat Malaysia (JBPM) and one from the Royal Malaysia Police.
“Today’s operation is also being assisted by drone units from the Selangor State Government Disaster Management Unit to help monitor the search area from the air,” she told reporters at the scene.
Azliza added that other agencies involved in the operation include the Angkatan Pertahanan Awam Malaysia (APM), the Forestry Department, the Department of Wildlife and National Parks Peninsular Malaysia (Perhilitan), as well as the Forestry Mountain Guide Association.
She explained that the Bukit Changkat Asa hiking trail consists of an approximately 800-metre route leading to the summit, which stands at 267 metres above ground level, with hikers usually using the same path for descent.
“So far, no new leads have been discovered and the SAR team is relying mainly on information provided by the victim’s family to assist the search efforts,” she said.
Earlier reports stated that Nur Izzati Humaira Azizul was believed to have gone missing while descending the hill with her family after she reportedly decided to walk ahead alone because she felt hot and tired at around 10.50am last Saturday.
The teenager was last seen wearing a long brown headscarf, a dark green long-sleeved shirt, black trousers and blue shoes.
Meanwhile, local resident Khalidah Khalil said Bukit Changkat Asa is a popular hiking destination among the public, especially during weekends, attracting university students, families and recreational hikers, including those from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris.
She said incidents of this nature had never previously occurred at the location.
Khalidah, who has climbed the hill nine times, described the trail as relatively easy and manageable for most hikers.
Observations at the site also found that the hiking path was clearly visible, not heavily overgrown with thick vegetation, and surrounded by moderately sized trees.
Family members of the missing teenager were also present at the Incident Command Post to monitor developments in the SAR operation, although they declined requests for media interviews.
-wilayah.com.my
