THE father of a teenager feared drowned in a mining pool in Taman Putra Perdana, Puchong, today extended his condolences to the families of six Fire and Rescue Department Water Rescue Unit (PPDA) divers who died while searching for his son.

Mohd Azzam Naim, 46, said he was shocked when he found out about the tragedy.

“I never expected the operation to locate my son, Mohd Ilham Fahmyn, would turn into such a tragedy,” he told reporters at the scene this morning.

He said the mining pool, which is not fenced off, is a fishing haven for both locals and foreigners.

“Two months ago, it was reported that two men had drowned here. I advised my son not to come here, especially these days, as it rains frequently. I did not think he would come here with his two friends.”

Azzam said his son, 17, asked for permission to go out about 4pm yesterday.

He said he was told by another of his sons at 5pm that Ilham had slipped and fallen into the mining pool.

“I hope my son is found soon.”

Four of the six divers who died were Mohd Fatah Hashim, 34; Izatul Akma Wan Ibrahim, 32; Mazlan Omarbaki, 25; and, Yahya Ali, 24, from the Port Klang fire station.

Adnan Othman, 33, and Muhammad Hifdzul Malik Shaari, 25, were from the Shah Alam station.

The search-and-rescue operation for the youth resumed this morning.

Selangor Fire and Rescue Department Zone 5 Operations Commander Izman Adnan said efforts restarted at 8am along a 40m bank.

“The currents are still strong in the mining pool today, and the divers will assess the situation before continuing the operation.

“It is understood that a team of marine police divers will carry out the search. In the case of the fire department, we have not yet determined where the PPDA divers will be from,” he told reporters at the scene.

Asked if the technique of diving in groups will be used in today’s operation, he said the department has yet to make a decision.

“It depends on weather conditions and the currents in the mining pool.” – Bernama, October 4, 2018.