BACHOK: An eight-year-old boy is feared drowned after going missing while strolling with his family at Pantai Kandis this afternoon.
The victim, Muhammad Naufal Arsyad Muhammad Aiman Hafiz, has not been found so far.
Bachok district police chief, Superintendent Mohamad Ismail Jamaluddin, said the police received a call about the incident at 7pm.
He said initial information indicated the victim, from Kampung Cabang Tiga Pohon Nenasi in Beris Lalang, was at the beach with his mother and several other family members.
"The victim's mother said he suddenly went missing and is suspected to have been swept away by the waves," he said when contacted today.
Mohamad Ismail said a search and rescue operation for the victim, who is also a student at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Beris Lalang, has been launched.
The Incident Control Centre (PKTK) has also been activated, with the involvement of the police, Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM), Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (JBPM), Malaysian Volunteer Department (RELA), and other agencies since 8.15pm.
So far, the victim has not been found.