CHUKAI: Two victims of the water surge tragedy in Jeram Mawar waterfall in Air Puteh, Kemaman, namely Putri Balqis Izzati Abdul Rahman, 18, and Muhammad Fikri Saliman, 24, were supposed to have tied the knot in December.
Putri Balqis' aunt, Siti Aisyah Eiyi, 39, said the couple were engaged in March.
"Muhammad Fikri's presence with us was to celebrate Hari Raya Aidiladha as well as to meet the family.
"We are devastated. We didn't expect a tragedy like this," said Siti Aisyah, whose sister Azizah and her family also perished in the tragedy.
Siti Aisyah said the last time she met with Azizah, 40, was when the latter's family came to her house in Felda Lepar Hilir 2, Gambang.
"Azizah and her husband (Karim Abdullah) were fond of bringing their family over during the holidays for picnics.
"Azizah's son, Muhammad Zulqarnain Haikal, usually didn't tag along as he preferred to stay home.
"But this time, he came along," she said.
Muhammad Zulqarnain, 11, was also among those who perished in the tragedy.
She said her sister had also invited their other siblings, as well as their mother, 60-year-old Halimah Kasim, for the picnic.
"I had some reservations about the picnic, plus my husband (Mahdi Mahidin, 46) could not get off work so we didn't go.
"I'm still trying to understand how Azizah and her family were swept away by the water," she said.
Siti Aisyah said had she and her siblings also joined in the outing, they too might have shared the same fate.
"We are still coming to terms with this. It's not just one or two people but her whole family. We just have to accept this as fate."
The first two bodies, that of Azizah and Zulqarnain, were found yesterday, one on the river bank near the Kampung Laut cemetery, while the second body was found on the river bank leading to Sungai Air Putih Forest Lake at about 12.45pm.
Police also found a car and a motorcycle, suspected of belonging to the victims, approximately two kilometres from the location where the second body was found.
As of noon, nine bodies have been found with one still missing.