K9 sniffer dog joins third-day search for missing 14-year-old in Kelantan river

KUALA KRAI, Aug 13 — In a third day of searching, a K9 sniffer dog named Frankie from the Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) has been enlisted to aid in the search and rescue (SAR) operation for a 14-year-old student, Mohd Rayyan Hakimi Mohd Yusmiza. The teenager went missing on Tuesday and is feared to have drowned in Sungai Kelantan near Kampung Aur Duri.

Assistant Director Mohd Fadhlizil Ikram Ahmad Pauzi of Kelantan JBPM Operations Division revealed that Frankie was deployed to search the riverbank as the SAR operation intensified. The focus is on the river and locations deemed of interest. The Water Rescue Team (PPDA) is also participating in diving operations. Today's search expanded to a four-kilometre radius and involved 63 personnel and volunteers from JBPM, the Royal Malaysia Police, Malaysian Civil Defence Force, Malaysia Volunteer Corps Department and locals.

The SAR effort is grappling with strong currents and rising water levels, complicating the movement of personnel and search efforts. Frankie, along with 12 boats, is part of the operation led by six personnel from Machang, Pengkalan Kubor and Pengkalan Chepa Fire and Rescue Stations. The search, which started yesterday, continues with rescue personnel and villagers scouring the river by boat, while PPDA staff conduct diving operations.

Family members and residents remain present at the scene, closely monitoring the ongoing search for Mohd Rayyan, who vanished after swimming with his friend, Luth Naiman Mohd Noraziron, 14. Luth Naiman's body was discovered yesterday by PPDA personnel, approximately 100 meters from where the two were last seen.