SARAWAK, Malaysia — Authorities in Sarawak have continued search and rescue (SAR) operations after a man was reported missing and is feared to have been killed in a suspected crocodile attack at Sadong Jaya.
According to local police and emergency officials, the incident occurred when the man was last seen near a riverside area known to be inhabited by crocodiles. Concern was raised after he failed to return and his belongings were found close to the water’s edge.
Search teams comprising police, Fire and Rescue Department personnel, and community volunteers have been conducting extensive riverbank patrols, using boats and ground teams to scour stretches of water and dense vegetation for any sign of the missing man.
Officials have not confirmed the exact cause of the disappearance but have described it as a suspected crocodile attack, based on eyewitness accounts and the nature of the riverine environment.
Local wildlife authorities have also suggested that crocodiles in the area can pose serious threats to humans, particularly during peak activity hours such as dusk and dawn.
Efforts have been intensified as days pass, with teams focusing on grid‑based searches and using drones and thermal imaging to expand coverage. The mood among rescuers is one of urgency but tempered by the acknowledgment of the difficult terrain and the slim chances of finding survivors.
Police have appealed to the public for any information that may assist the operation, including eyewitness reports or video footage from nearby residences and fishermen who frequent the river.
Residents in Sadong Jaya have expressed shock and concern over the incident, with many urging others to remain vigilant when engaging in activities near crocodile‑prone waterways.
As operations continue, officials have reiterated safety advisories for the public — especially fishermen, swimmers, and those living close to rivers — to avoid entering the water and to keep a safe distance from riverbanks where crocodile encounters have been previously reported.
