Six years on, Gua Rusa tragedy still fresh in fireman’s mind

Remembering the past: The tragedy remains etched in the memory of Mohd Sufri (fourth from left) who was involved in the SAR mission for flash flood victims in Gua Rusa, Mulu National Park, Miri. — Bernama

KUCHING: The tragic events of July 12, 2019, are still vividly remembered by Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) officer Mohd Sufri Alulakal, who was part of a search and rescue (SAR) operation following flash floods at the iconic Gua Rusa (Deer Cave) loca­ted within the Mulu National Park in Miri.

The incident, which claimed two lives – local tour guide Rovie­zal Robin, 20, and Dutch tourist Peter Hans Hovenkamp, 66 – led to the formation of the Mountain Cave Search and Rescue (Mocsar) team by Sarawak JBPM a year later to carry out SAR operations in mountains and caves.