Indonesian worker killed after landslide at construction site in Kota Tinggi; colleague escapes injury
PETALING JAYA: A construction site tragedy claimed the life of an Indonesian worker after a landslide buried him under approximately three metres of soil yesterday afternoon.
The fatal incident took place around 1pm at a factory construction site on Jalan Industri A5, Kota Tinggi, Johor, where two plumbing workers were performing their duties when the ground suddenly gave way.
The deceased has been identified as Rifai Ahmad, 52, an Indonesian national. His 32-year-old colleague managed to escape the collapsing earth without injury.
Emergency services responded swiftly to the crisis. Mohd Khairul Sufian Dahari, senior operations commander at Penawar Fire and Rescue Station, reported that his team reached the location within five minutes of receiving the distress call at 1pm.
“We found one worker had escaped safely, while the other remained trapped beneath the soil,” Mohd Khairul Sufian explained.
“Our team immediately began excavation efforts using specialised digging equipment and ropes, supported by an excavator brought to the scene.”
The rescue operation lasted approximately three hours. Firefighters successfully recovered the victim at 4pm, but medical personnel from the Health Ministry pronounced him dead at the scene.
Authorities have taken custody of the body for further investigation. The Fire and Rescue Department deployed nine personnel and a Fire Rescue Tender for the operation, which concluded at 4.25pm after safety checks confirmed the area was secure.
The incident highlights ongoing safety concerns at construction sites across the region.
