By Tedong Rantayy
MIRI, Jan 29: Rescue teams have recovered the fourth body from the fatal landslide at Kampung Lereng Bukit, Miri, and are now working to retrieve the final victim from the rubble.
Miri Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Alexson Naga Chabu confirmed in a press conference at 12.45pm today that the location of the body, a 71-year-old woman, has been identified, and efforts to extract her remain underway as at 1pm.
Earlier today, rescuers discovered the remains of four other victims buried beneath the rubble, with the first being a teenage boy found at 6am.
At approximately 10.40am, the body of a 41-year-old woman was found beneath the collapsed house.
Shortly after, at 11.30 am, an eight-year-old girl was recovered, followed by an 11-year-old girl at 11.40 am.
The deceased 41-year-old woman was reportedly the mother to all three deceased children.
With that, four people have been confirmed dead.
Earlier, the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) reported that the landslide occurred at around 2.58am which struck two houses.
Seven people were inside the first house when disaster struck. An adult male and a teenage girl managed to escape from the house.
All five occupants of the second home, including three teenage girls, survived the incident.
The ongoing search and rescue operation involves multiple agencies, with 19 officers and 85 personnel working tirelessly to locate and extract those still buried.
While five survivors managed to escape, the disaster has left a tragic toll on the affected community.
Rescue teams remain on-site as operations continue. – DayakDaily
