Firemen retrieved the body of an unidentified man from crocodile-infested river in their fourth attempt

KUCHING, Feb 1 2026: Firemen finally succeeded in their fourth attempt to retrieve the body of an unidentified man that has been entangled among the roots of the mangrove trees at the bank of the crocodile-infested Sungai Midin, Samariang last night.

Caption: Firemen and police personnel carrying the body of an unidentified man last night. Picture by Bomba 

Spokesman of the Petra Jaya Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) station, in a statement, said the corpse has been handed over to the police for further action.

“The operation to retrieve the corpse could not be carried out at the initial stage because the river water level was rising and the ramp conditions were not sufficient for thefiremen personnel to lower the  boat into the river,” he said.

He explained that at 12 noon the operation started with the police to retrieve the body. However, the operation was temporarily suspended because the body was difficult to retrieve from the mangrove roots..

“Moreover, the river area was identified as a crocodile-infested and very dangerous for personnel to go down into the river,” the spokesman said.

“He said after discussions with the police, it was decided the operation would resume when the river water level has receded.

The second operation resumed at 3.30pm, but efforts to retrieve the body still failed and the operation was again temporarily suspended.

The third operation, scheduled at 6.35pm, still could not be carried out because the river water level was still high.

The spokesman said after discussions with the police, the operation was temporarily suspended and scheduled to resume around 9pm while waiting for the river water level to recede.

The body was finally retrieved at 9.58pm was finally successful and it was handed over to the police for further action.