The boat belonging to the drowned victim.
LAHAD DATU: A 34-year-old man who was reported missing on Saturday was found drowned at Sungai Matamba, Silabukan near here on Sunday.
It was learnt that his body had missing parts and believed to have been eaten by crocodiles.
The corpse was found by villagers who later informed the fire and rescue station in Lahad Datu.
Lahad Datu Fire and Rescue Station chief Sumsoa Rashid said that they received the report concerning a capsized boat at 11.50pm on Saturday and the rescue operation was carried out the next day.
He said that the team from the station were assisted by the public to conduct the search mission along the Matamba river when they found the victim’s overturned boat.
“The search area covered nearly 25 kilometers but the victim was nowhere to be found,” he said.
He added that Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) also assisted in the search mission.
At 2.10pm, the operation was paused because of bad weather, but the villagers continued with their search.
At 6.04pm, members of the PBS Silabukan contacted the station to inform that the victim had been found near the overturned boat.
He said that the body had been handed over to the police for further action.