Rescuers seek new clues in missing runner case
GOPENG: A total of 150 members of the Special Operations Force, Special Tactical Operation and Re s cue Te am of M alaysia (STORM) and the Fire and Rescue Department yesterday searched for new clues to track down Mohammad Ashraf Hassan, also known as Acap, who went missing while participating in the Gopeng Ultra Trail 2019 (GUT19) here last year.
Perak Fire and Rescue Department (operations division) assistant director Mohamad Yunus Abu said the search along the 25km GUT19 route was conducted in conjunction with the STORM 2020 Operations Training at the Special Northern Zone Level in Gua Tempurung yesterday.
He said the training would be conducted for four days starting yesterday, with the participation of 150 officers and personnel from Perak, Selangor, Penang and Perlis, involving three phases, namely the dirt road, cave rescue and water rescue.
“With this exercise, we hope to get new clues. If there are clues buried underground, hopefully the weather will uncover new clues for us,” he said in Gua Tempurung.
Yunus said through the search, the firefighters also hoped to reduce the anxiety suffered by Ashraf’s family and help them find closure.
On April 17 last year, police announced that the search operation for Acap had been temporarily suspended after a 24-day effort came up with no new clues.
Yunus said the training aimed to test the department’s logistics, technical and communication capabilities, and it also involved the 3rd Battalion of the General Operations Force Bidor as trackers.
“This exercise is also for the firefighters to prepare for any possible disaster at the year-end due to the seasonal change, which could bring heavy rains and landslides.
“This exercise will also improve their coordination during assignments,” he said.