S'porean reported missing in Cambodia found

A budding teacher thought to be missing in Cambodia last week has been found and is said to be healthy and well, said the authorities in Cambodia.

National Institute of Education student Sanjay Radakrishna, 26, had been on a trekking trip to the tallest peak in Cambodia, the 1,813m Phnom Aural in Kampong Speu. When he did not return to Singapore last Wednesday as planned, a Facebook post asking for information about him went viral.

On Sunday, Cambodian police found him at the foot of Phnom Aural. He was taken to the Singapore Embassy and looked "well and healthy", reported The Phnom Penh Post yesterday.

A Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) spokesman said he "has been found safe". The MFA added: "The Singapore Embassy in Phnom Penh is in contact with the local authorities and the next of kin to arrange for his return to Singapore."

Mr Sanjay's friends said he is an experienced trekker who has been to the base camp of Mount Everest and has led trips to places like Mount Rinjani in Indonesia.

When they discovered that he had gone missing, they raised about $10,000 to send a search team of experienced trekkers to Cambodia to look for him. The team set off on Sunday but learnt upon landing that he had been found. Most of the funds have been returned to donors.

Mr Sanjay and his family declined to be interviewed. But The Straits Times understands that he was still in Cambodia yesterday and had sent a text message to some friends yesterday saying: "Thanks for the love! Appreciate every bit of effort."

Nanyang Technological University engineering student Jansen Lee, 24, was one of those who helped raise funds. He said: "Many things that could have happened went through my mind when I found out he was missing. It was a big relief to find out he is safe and sound."

cherylw@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on July 08, 2014.
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