A 53-year-old woman was buried alive in a landslide in Kampung Lok Bonu, Sepanggar, early Tuesday, moments after finishing her pre-dawn meal (sahur) with her son, local media reports. 

The victim, Sitti Harija Norulla, was in her home with her 25-year-old son, Zulkiman, when the landslide struck around 4 am. 

Rainfall was also recorded in the early hours of the morning. 

“We had just finished sahur when we heard a loud noise. The ground was shaking,” said Zulkiman, recalling the terrifying moment.

“I tried to pull my mother out, but the tremors were too strong. I was thrown aside as the house moved,” he added.

The landslide completely destroyed their 14-square-meter wooden house and shifted it several meters from its original position.

Sitti’s eldest son, Al, 39, was working nearby when he received the devastating call.

“I rushed back and started digging with the villagers. We found her trapped under the debris but couldn’t pull her out,” he said.

Rescuers from the Kota Kinabalu Fire and Rescue Department arrived after receiving an emergency call at 4:32 am.

A team of 11 firefighters and emergency medical personnel worked to retrieve Sitti’s body, which was pronounced dead at the scene.

“The landslide had completely buried the house. We recovered the victim and handed her over to the authorities,” said the rescue team leader.

Authorities are assessing the site and monitoring for further landslides in the area. – March 5, 2025