TUARAN – The search for an autistic child who went missing last Sunday ended tragically when his body was found caught on bamboo trees along the bank of the Tamparuli River here on Thursday.
The body of five-year-old Muhammad Aniq Faiz Muhammad Ashraf was discovered at 12.20pm by the search and rescue (SAR) team conducting the operation.
Tuaran Fire and Rescue Station (BBP) chief Mohamad Nor Amit said the SAR operation, which entered its fifth day, began at 8.35am.
"The SAR, in collaboration with other rescue agencies, was expanded to include a wider search radius covering land and river areas. The river search was carried out through rafting in the surrounding areas.
"After about four hours, the child's body was finally found caught on bamboo by the riverbank, approximately three kilometres from the location where he was reported missing,” he told Sinar Harian.
He added that his team then carried out the task of retrieving the body from the river and handed it over to the police for further action.
"The operation was officially concluded at 1.15pm,” he said.
On Sunday, Sinar Harian reported the child’s disappearance after his family realised he was not at home and only his doll was found outside their residence in Kampung Bahagia II, Tamparuli.