One month on, families try to move past quake

Relatives plan return to Mt Kinabalu to honour victims

ON June 5, an earthquake shook Mount Kinabalu and sent rocks raining down on a group of climbers from Tanjong Katong Primary School who were on a school expedition. Ten families from Singapore lost loved ones, many just 12-year-olds, in the deadly disaster.

A month on, while the pain is still a bitter reality, some families are trying their best to heal and move on. Some of them are planning what was unthinkable just weeks ago: returning to Mount Kinabalu.

Jaidipsinh Jhala, 48, who lost his 12-year-old daughter Sonia during the quake, planned to climb the mountain on June 5 next year.

“It’s to finish what she could not finish, to honour her,” he said.

His wife Karen added: “Some of the mothers said they might just go to the base; the fathers can climb. We can probably leave flowers at the site, perhaps even say prayers.”

Sonia was among seven pupils from the school who died during the quake.

Two teachers and a Singaporean adventure guide accompanying the group also lost their lives. The other 22 pupils, six teachers and two Singapore guides survived.

Some of the survivors are also planning to go back to Mount Kinabalu next year.

Emyr Uzayr, 12, who suffered a fractured skull during the trip, hoped to make it to the summit.

His father Sadri Farick, 37, said: “It’s a beautiful place. My kid and some of his friends want to do it for their friends who passed away.”

Despite the tragic incident, some parents remained supportive of such trips. But others have voiced concerns about sending young children on overseas school trips which involve higher risks, such as outdoor expeditions.

Some operators in the adventure travel industry also supported the idea of setting an age requirement for Mount Kinabalu climbers.

“In emergencies, older children might be more confident in making judgments and reacting faster,” said IPC Tours director Raj Kumar. — The Straits Times / Asia News Network