Body found in pond could be of missing Briton

Search-and-rescue (SAR) personnel have found the body of a man, believed to be that of missing Briton Gareth David Huntley, on Wednesday near the Penyu Juara Project on Pulau Tioman.

According to BERNAMA, the body was found without identification papers and wearing only shorts about 50 metres from the beach

Huntley, 34, had been reported missing on May 27, after failing to return from the Lubuk Teja Waterfalls alone at about noon on that day.

He was a volunteer at the Juara Turtle Project in Kampung Juara.

His disappearance sparked a major manhunt and mounting concern in Britain, including from Prime Minister David Cameron.

Pahang Fire and Rescue Department director Morni Mamat told AFP a forensics team was heading to the popular resort island to determine the identity and cause of death.

"We found a body this morning but we have not verified whether it is the missing person or someone else.

"We will probably know today whether it is him," said Morni Mamat.

He added it was difficult to identify the body as it had already decomposed.

Some 154 SAR personnel from the state police, marine police, Rela, army, Fire and Rescue Department had combed an area of seven square kilometres from the place Huntley was reported missing soon after his disappearance.

A total of seven tracker dogs from the Pahang Police Contingent Headquarters Tracker Dog Unit and Fire and Services Department, and a helicopter, were also used in the operation.