Lahad datu: An elderly man who was reported missing while searching for bird's nests in Gua Tepadung last week has been found safe by plantation workers near an oil palm plantation here. Lahad Datu Fire and Rescue Station chief Sumsoa Rashid confirmed the discovery after the plantation manager contacted the fire department about the victim's whereabouts.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the fire brigade team went to the location where the victim, Ismail Ibrahim, 61, was found. Upon arrival, they verified that he was in a safe but weak condition. Ismail was reported missing on May 26 while searching for bird's nests with two friends in Gua Tepadung. Independent efforts to locate him initially hit a dead end.

After police received a report regarding Ismail's disappearance last Sunday, both the Fire and Rescue Department and the Malaysian Civil Defence Force initiated a search and rescue (SAR) operation. The SAR efforts were further intensified today with the deployment of the Special Tactical Operation and Rescue Team of Malaysia (STORM) to conduct a comprehensive inspection of the cave's interior.