PENAMPANG: The body of a 97-year-old was recovered on the second day of search and rescue (SAR) operations after a two-storey semi-permanent house at Kg Sarapung collapsed on Wednesday evening.
The victim was found Friday at 10.35am beneath rubble after teams of firefighters, police and villagers worked through floodwaters, fallen trees and heavy debris.
He was carried 750 metres from the site to safe ground before being handed over to police for further action. Continuous monitoring of the affected area will be conducted.
Another victim, a woman, who had earlier been rescued by villagers was reported to be in stable condition with minor injuries.
Fire and Rescue Department personnel faced challenges reaching the location as several roads were submerged and impassable.
Responders were forced to walk about three km with equipment before heavy machinery could be deployed with assistance from the District Disaster Management Committee and Public Works Department.
Operations involved 30 personnel from the Penampang and Kota Kinabalu fire stations, assisted by the Storm unit, drone unit, and nine police officers.
The operation was led by Penampang Fire and Rescue chief PBK I Callixtus Fedilis under the supervision of senior commander PKPgB Zeno Tinggalan.
The SAR operation officially ended at 11.30am Friday. Authority said rescue teams will continue to monitor the site for risks of further landslides or flooding.
