TATAU: The search and rescue (SAR) operation for a six-year-old girl, who went missing after a crocodile attack in Batang Tatau on Sept 18, has been called off after eight days of intensive search efforts.
A spokesman for the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) said the operation would only resume if new information about Cicilia Julan Intik’s whereabout emerged.
On the eighth day of the operation, which began early Wednesday morning (Sept 25), rescuers scoured a 5km radius upstream from the SAR control post along Batang Tatau, including areas near Tatau town.
However, by 10.30 am, no new leads had surfaced.
Later in the afternoon, the operation was temporarily paused to allow the family, along with a crocodile handler, to perform a ritual to summon the crocodile and install a trap.
The search was officially halted at 5.30 pm, pending further developments.
On Sept 18, Cicilia was last seen bathing with her family in the river around 6.30 pm, when a crocodile attacked and dragged her into the water.
The attack was witnessed by her grandfather, who was also at the scene.
