Five men carrying out land surveying work were rescued after becoming stranded across a river due to strong currents in Kampung Melangkap, Sabah, in a complex operation that stretched into Thursday morning.
The Sabah Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Operations Centre said it received an emergency call at 4.48pm on Wednesday, prompting eight firefighters from the Kota Belud Fire and Rescue Station to be deployed to the scene, located about 35km away.
Station chief Elge Bakuk said the team arrived at the main road near the location at 6.33pm before trekking about 5km through jungle terrain and along the riverbank to locate the victims at 12.45am.
He said the operation was challenging due to steep and hilly terrain, as well as poor communication coverage, with no access to the Government Integrated Radio Network (GIRN) or mobile phone signals.
The firefighters also faced difficulties when their torch batteries ran out during the search in complete darkness.
“All victims were safely escorted out to a secure area at 5.50am before the operation concluded at 9.20am on Thursday,” he said.
The rescue involved a Fire Rescue Tender (FRT) with four personnel, an Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) unit with two personnel, and a four-wheel-drive Toyota Vigo with two personnel.
In a separate development, the Pamuntarian-Ulu Mosopoh road in Nabawan, which had been cut off since last Saturday due to flooding, has now reopened to all vehicles, restoring access between six villages and Nabawan town.
Village chief Lumambai Antawor said the flooding had previously cut off transport routes, making it difficult for residents to travel and receive essential supplies.
He added that it also disrupted the movement of teachers and students to Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Pamuntarian and SK Ulu Mosopoh.
Last Tuesday, local representatives arranged emergency food distribution using an alternative method, where supplies were transferred between vehicles across flooded sections, requiring manual effort through waist-deep water.
The aid was contributed by Nabawan Assemblyman Datuk Abdul Ghani Mohamed Yassin and Tulid Assemblyman Jordan Jude Ellron, and delivered through local community representatives.
Residents expressed gratitude for the swift assistance while awaiting further coordinated relief from the District Disaster Management Committee, chaired by Nabawan District Officer Marshal Anthony @ Idham.
Village representatives also urged authorities to upgrade the Pamuntarian-Ulu Mosopoh road, citing frequent flooding that regularly cuts off access during heavy rain seasons.
