K9 unit finds 3 places where victims are likely buried

GEORGE TOWN: The K9 Tracker Dog Unit (K9) of the Fire and Rescue Department has identified three locations where missing victims are believed to be buried in the landslide in Jalan Bukit Kukus, Paya Terubong, near here.

Timur Laut district police chief Assistant Commissioner Che Zaimani Che Awang said the sniffer dogs had identified three locations at sectors one and two of the landslide, and the search and rescue (SAR) operation was focused there.

“The SAR team will focus on digging and looking for victims at both the sectors,” he said at the the scene yesterday.

He said the operation started at 8.30am after the Mineral and Geoscience Department (JMG) inspected the area and found it safe for the team to enter.

State Fire and Rescue Department director Saadon Moktar said the operation began with shifting the earth from the landslide and three containers at the site.

“After that, we will sent sniffer dogs to the identified areas.”

He said the department had obtained additional logistic support, including four excavators, three cranes and other machinery from the project contractor and Penang City Council (MBPP).

He said 100 personnel from the department, police, MBPP, Health Ministry and the Civil Defence Force were involved in the SAR operation.

The landslide, which was reported to have occurred at 1.56pm on Friday, has killed four foreign workers and injured three others, with five people still missing and feared to have been buried alive.

The disaster occurred after the state was hit by a downpour from Thursday afternoon until noon the following day, causing the landslide at the container and kongsi area at the Bukit Kukus paired road construction site.

Two bodies were recovered on Friday, that of Indonesian national Samsul Asman, 19, and Bangadesh worker Attrul, 35, while the bodies of a Myanmar woman, Khin Aye Khaing, 33, and Indonesian Bahtiar, 36, were recovered on Saturday at 1.30am and 11.55am, respectively.