KOTA KINABALU – The final two victims of a landslide that struck Kampung Cenderakasih in Kolombong this morning have been found, bringing the death toll to nine, including five children.
The disaster, which occurred at about 9:15am, buried a house and killed members of an extended family.
Kota Kinabalu police chief Assistant Commissioner Kasim Muda confirmed that rescuers located the last two victims – a 24-year-old woman and her nine-year-old child – in the afternoon.
Earlier, the Sabah Fire and Rescue Department reported that five bodies had been recovered.
In total, the victims comprised three boys and two girls, aged between two and nine, alongside three women and a man aged between 24 and 50.
Four men survived the incident, though one sustained a broken leg.
“The victims were part of a household of nine, while two others, also family members, were staying over at the time,” Kasim told reporters at the scene, according to Bernama.
He said all victims were pronounced dead at the scene by medical personnel before their remains were sent to Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Rescuers faced difficulties in the recovery operation, with victims trapped under two to three metres of mud, fallen trees, and debris.
“We had to use an excavator to clear the debris before manually extracting the victims,” Kasim said.
The search operation ended at 3:45pm after the last bodies were found. Authorities have since ordered residents in the surrounding area to evacuate immediately to prevent further tragedies. — September 15, 2025