19 hikers rescued after four-hour ordeal at Lata Debu
BALING: Firefighters rescued 19 people who were trapped following a flash flood at Lata Debu today.
At around 4.11pm today, firefighters were alerted to a flash flood at Lata Debu, leading to a rescue operation for 19 people who had become trapped. District fire and rescue station chief Zulkhairi Mat Tanjil oversaw the mission, which involved trekking 2km to reach the site. Upon arrival, they discovered nine women and 10 men, aged between 20 and 25, believed to have been caught in the flood while hiking down. The group had started their hike at Lata Debu at 8am, according to the chief.
The rescue operation entailed using ropes to cross the river one by one, taking nearly four hours due to slippery rocks and strong currents. Heavy rain that lasted almost two hours earlier had caused the flash flood. All 19 people were rescued safely, with none suffering injuries. They were believed to be visitors from outside the area who had come to hike the area.
This was the second rescue operation at Lata Debu in the month, the first occurring last Sunday when one person fainted and two others went missing. Lata Debu's scenic beauty attracts many hikers. The rescue concluded at 8.10pm, after which the survivors were handed over to the police.
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