Blocked: An aerial view showing the landslide covering part of the Jalan Donggongon-Papar Spurs, cutting off access between Papar and Kota Kinabalu.
KOTA KINABALU: A woman and her teenage daughter cheated death when a landslide crushed their home in Kampung Kopungit, Kepayan.
The incident occurred at about 8.45pm on Saturday when the house shook violently after a loud thundering noise, before sliding downwards and collapsing.
Molly Antutu, 42, recalled the terrifying moment as she clutched her 14-year-old daughter, Syamimi, thinking it might be their last time together.
“In that moment of chaos, I could only think of death. I told my daughter, ‘Let us die together, holding each other’,” she said.
Within seconds, sheets of zinc roofing crashed down on them, pinning them briefly before sliding off and creating a narrow escape route.
The pair managed to crawl out, aided by neighbours who rushed to help before alerting the authorities.
Molly sustained minor injuries to her right leg while her daughter was unharmed.
Capt (PA) Aizex Junior of the Kota Kinabalu Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) said the distress call was received at 9.15pm, and a five-member team arrived at the site about 20 minutes later.
“Upon arrival, our team found that the house had been completely destroyed by a landslide measuring some 15m wide and 25m high.
“Both residents survived and were immediately checked for injuries,” he said.
Two other landslides were also detected in the vicinity, prompting APM teams to continue monitoring the area for the safety of nearby residents.
The tragedy unfolded against the backdrop of widespread floods and landslides across Sabah following days of heavy rain.
As of yesterday morning, the APM reported that the number of flood victims remained at 459 people from 136 families from 23 villages, who are currently staying at temporary evacuation centres in Beaufort, Penampang and Tawau.
Penampang recorded the highest number of evacuees with 247 people from 74 families, followed by Beaufort with 153 people from 51 families, and Tawau with 59 people from 11 families.
Five temporary evacuation centres are now operating, with three located in Penampang at the district sports complex, SK St Paul Kolopis and Huguan Siou Hall, and one each at PPK Selagon in Beaufort and Masjid Al-Aman in Tawau.
The disaster has already claimed one life.
A 97-year-old man from Kampung Sarapung, Kolopis in Penampang, was killed when his home was struck by a landslide, while a woman, who also lives in the house, was pulled out alive with minor injuries.
Firefighters trekked nearly 3km on foot before they could begin search operations.
With access to heavy machinery impossible, they were forced to rely on shovels, chainsaws and hand tools to cut through fallen timber and dig through thick mud.
