JOHOR BARU: A 48-year-old man died after being buried in soil while looking for an item near a water tank at Taman Kedidi in Pasir Gudang here.
Johor Fire and Rescue Department senior operations commander Firdaus Ahmad said the victim was with a friend when the ground beneath him suddenly gave way, causing him to be buried in soil.
"The victim was searching for something in the area with a friend when the soil he was standing on suddenly collapsed.
"His friend, who witnessed the incident, managed to escape and called for help," he said when contacted.
Firdaus said the department received a distress call at about 10am on Saturday (Oct 24) and dispatched 17 firemen from the Pasir Gudang and Johor Jaya fire stations to the scene.
"However, the operation had to be temporarily suspended at 11.46am due to rain, as it was unsafe for our personnel to continue," he said, adding that the operation resumed after the rain ended.
Firdaus said that the victim was dug out by at 12.33pm but was pronounced dead at the scene by Health Ministry personnel.
He added that the victim's body was handed over to the police for further action.
