Simpang Pulai rockfall: About 70% of boulders cleared by Saturday (March 12)

Perak Bomba says that about 70% of the boulders will be cleared from the rockfall site on March 12, 202. – Bernama

IPOH: About 70% of the boulders in the quarry rockfall at Keramat Pulai is expected to be completed Saturday (March 12) to help locate the remains of two victims buried under the rubble.

Perak Fire and Rescue Department deputy commander of operations Aidil Adlee Che Mee said this would also depend on weather factors and ground condition.

“We are actively working on the process of removing the rocks and boulders so we can open a path to the last known location of the two victims.

“Today’s operation started with blasting the boulders to facilitate removal work, as well as tactical assessment of the operation by the rescue team,” he added.

He said the operation, which started at 8am, involved 62 personnel from the Fire and Rescue Department, police, Special Tactical Operation and Rescue Team of Malaysia (STORM), Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART), assisted by officers from the Minerals and Geoscience Department, as well as quarry workers.

The operation entered its fifth day Saturday.

In the 9.15am incident on Tuesday (March 8), two victims, Kheow Loo Siew Soon, 49, and Itam Lasoh, 43 were buried under the rubble, while two more victims, Mohd Razli Suhaimi, 35, suffered a broken leg while Pan Tam, 38, sustained light injuries. – Bernama