Kuala lumpur: K9 sniffer dog Frankie from the Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) headquarters has been deployed to assist the search and rescue (SAR) operation for 14-year-old student Mohd Rayyan Hakimi Mohd Yusmiza, who had been reported missing since Tuesday.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Kelantan JBPM Operations Division assistant director Mohd Fadhlizil Ikram Ahmad Pauzi stated that Frankie was deployed to search along the riverbank as the SAR operation entered its third day for the teenager, who is feared drowned in Sungai Kelantan near Kampung Aur Duri. The operation is focusing on searching along the river, in addition to diving at several locations identified as areas of interest. The Water Rescue Team (PPDA) has also been deployed to conduct diving operations.

The SAR operation had been expanded to a four-kilometre radius, involving 63 personnel and volunteers from JBPM, the Royal Malaysia Police, Malaysian Civil Defence Force, Malaysia Volunteer Corps Department, and villagers. Mohd Fadhlizil Ikram mentioned that 12 boats have also been deployed, while the PPDA operation involves six personnel from the Machang, Pengkalan Kubor, and Pengkalan Chepa Fire and Rescue Stations.

The operation is facing several challenges, particularly strong river currents and rising water levels, which are hampering the movement of personnel and the search for the victim, especially along the riverbed. A Bernama check at the scene found rescue personnel and villagers continuing to search along the river by boat, while PPDA personnel conducted diving operations at several identified locations.

Family members and villagers were also at the scene, closely following the search for Mohd Rayyan, who remained missing after bathing in the river together with his friend, Luth Naiman Mohd Noraziron, 14. Luth Naiman's body was found by PPDA personnel at 9.10 am yesterday, about 100 metres from the location where the two were last seen.