BATANG KALI: The search-and-rescue (SAR) personnel came across the body of the 26th victim of the landslide-hit Father's Organic Farm campsite by coincidence.
One of them, Syahmi Wafiq, 24, from the Fire and Rescue Department, said they initially planned to bury a dog carcass before stumbling upon the body.
"We wanted to bury the dog as it was starting to smell. So we needed the excavator to dig up a spot for it.
"After digging for a while, we saw a leg sticking out from the ground and that was when I realised that it was one of the victims.
"The dog we wanted to bury was discovered near the body. The victim was seen hugging another dog," he told the New Straits Times.
The youngest of three siblings said it was a spine-chilling experience for him to dig up dead bodies since the first day of the operation.
However, he added, it was a responsibility that he was willing to shoulder.
"Of course, I get goosebumps every time we made a discovery. But when I put on my uniform, I have this motivation and a sense of responsibility to carry out my duty.
"I joined Bomba four years go and have participated in a lot of rescue missions, especially during flood season.
"There is also support from everyone nationwide," he said.
Syahmi said that operations had been halted due to the heavy rain earlier.