A school holiday camping trip turned into a desperate search operation in Malaysia after four 16-year-old boys went missing in the waters off Tanjung Lompat Beach in Tanjung Balau.

One of the teenagers has now been found dead.

The tragedy unfolded on Wednesday morning when a group of teenagers encountered difficulties while swimming at the beach in Kota Tinggi, Johor.

According to Malaysian authorities, six teenagers were initially reported to be in trouble in the water. Two were rescued by members of the public and brought to safety.

Four others remained missing.

Hours later, at around 1:25 p.m., search teams and members of the public found the body of Alif Taqiudin Kamal Hasrul Mohamad, approximately 800 metres from where he was last seen. His family later identified him, and his body was taken to Kota Tinggi Hospital.

The search for the other three teenagers — Mohd Haiman, Adib Rizqi and Thaqif Rayyan — continued.

All four missing boys had been part of a group of 15 teenagers who had arrived in the area to camp during the school holidays. They had reportedly been there since Tuesday evening.

The rescue operation has faced difficult conditions.

Strong underwater currents, rough sea conditions and high winds have made the search more challenging. Around 30 personnel from the police, fire and rescue department, marine police and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency have been involved, with local fishermen also helping the effort.

For the families waiting along the shoreline, the search has become a race against time.

One family has already received the devastating news that their child will not be coming home.

Three other families are still waiting.

And as rescue teams continue searching the waters around Tanjung Lompat Beach, their hope remains focused on finding the three missing teenagers.

Course: NY Post