MIRI: Authorities recovered the last victim of the Kampung Lereng Bukit landslide this evening, bringing the death toll to five.
Miri police chief ACP Alexson Naga Chabu confirmed that the body of 71-year-old Fatimah Dawi was found at 6.06 pm beneath the rubble.
Twenty minutes later, at 6.26 pm, the body was extrivated and handed over to the police for further action.
“This incident involved 12 victims — five were killed, two injured, and five escaped unscathed,” he said when met at the scene.
Alexson stated that they will continue to monitor the area as the Public Works Department (PWD) has warned that the area is still at risk of another landslide.
“As a precaution, we have relocated the remaining residents in the area to the temporary relief centre (PPS) to prevent further loss of life,” he said.
The landslide, which struck at around 2.40 am, involved two houses and 12 victims. Firefighters from Miri and Lopeng stations rushed to the scene following a distress call.
Rescuers recovered the first victim, a 16-year-old boy, at around 6 am. The second victim, a 41-year-old woman, was found at 10.40 am, buried under the rubble.
At 11.30 am, they located the third victim, an eight-year-old girl. Just 10 minutes later, at 11.40 am, an 11-year-old girl was also found.
