The body of a firefighter’s younger sibling was found washed ashore after both brothers were reported missing in a drowning incident at Pantai Kandis, Bachok, Kelantan.
The tragedy began when the two brothers — identified as 32-year-old firefighter Ahmad Badrul Naim Ab Wahab and his 21-year-old younger brother Ahmad Nuruddin Ab Wahab — were spending time at the beach with family members. They were believed to be at the seaside for a picnic outing along with around 20 relatives from Pasir Puteh.
During the late afternoon, at approximately 5:30 PM, the situation turned tragic when the younger brother was seen struggling in the water after being swept away by strong waves. Witnessing the incident, Ahmad Badrul Naim — who served as a firefighter — immediately rushed into the sea in an attempt to rescue his sibling.
However, the rescue attempt ended in disaster when both brothers were overwhelmed by powerful currents and disappeared beneath the waves. Panic broke out among family members, and emergency services were alerted shortly after the incident.
Search and Rescue (SAR) operations were immediately launched, involving multiple agencies including the Royal Malaysia Police, the Fire and Rescue Department, the Malaysian Civil Defence Force, and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency. Rescue teams conducted coordinated searches using boats, coastal sweeps, and water surface monitoring while expanding the search radius along the shoreline.
Discovery of the First Victim
The body of the firefighter, Ahmad Badrul Naim, was the first to be recovered. Members of the public discovered his remains washed ashore approximately three kilometres from the location where he was last seen.
Authorities confirmed that the body was found around midday and later identified by family members, including his wife and parents. His remains were transported to Hospital Pakar Universiti Sains Malaysia for post-mortem examination and further procedures.
The incident cast a sombre atmosphere over the local community, especially among fellow firefighters who mourned the loss of a colleague who died while attempting to save his own brother.
Body of Younger Brother Found
After more than 37 hours of continuous search efforts, rescuers and members of the public finally located the body of the younger brother, Ahmad Nuruddin.
His body was discovered washed ashore near Pantai D’Aur, about 3.7 kilometres from the original incident site. The discovery was made early in the morning after authorities received information from the public regarding a body found along the coastline.
Officials confirmed that the remains were handed over to the police for further investigation and documentation procedures.
Rescue Efforts and Other Victims
During the same incident, another family member — a 12-year-old nephew — was also caught in the dangerous waters. Fortunately, he was successfully rescued by his father, who rushed into the sea during the emergency.
Rescue teams stated that strong currents and unpredictable waves contributed significantly to the drowning, making rescue attempts extremely difficult even for trained personnel.
Community Impact & Safety Reminder
The double tragedy deeply affected the victims’ family and the local community. Authorities extended condolences while also reminding the public to remain cautious when visiting beaches, particularly during periods of strong tides and rough sea conditions.
Officials emphasised the importance of monitoring weather conditions, obeying safety warnings, and avoiding swimming in unguarded areas to prevent similar tragedies.
