Sandakan: An elderly man, Agustine Frederick J. Lingam, tragically lost his life in a landslide near Block 10, just a day before he was scheduled to return to Kota Kinabalu to reunite with his family.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the victim's son, Lionel Aaron Lingam, revealed that his father had been preparing for an 11 am flight to Kota Kinabalu, but the landslide disrupted these plans. Agustine had spent over three decades working in Sandakan, originally hailing from Beaufort and growing up in Papar. Lionel recounted the sorrowful moment he learned of his father's demise, stating that his father's belongings were packed, and the flight ticket was ready, highlighting the unfortunate timing of the natural disaster.

The state government has extended disaster aid of RM10,000 to Lionel, presented by Sandakan Municipal Council (MPS) president Walter Kenson. Lionel expressed gratitude for the assistance and mentioned plans to transport his father's remains to Kota Kinabalu for the funeral. He also conveyed his appreciation to the government agencies involved in recovering his father's body from the landslide debris.

In response to the incident, Walter announced a temporary closure of Block 10, Lebuh 4, as safety investigations on the slope structure commence. The investigation is expected to take a few days, factoring in the unstable weather conditions. Occupants of the affected building have been relocated to a temporary relief center at the Sandakan Community Hall due to the hazardous situation.

In addition to the financial aid, Lionel received four food baskets from the Malaysia Civil Defence Force and the Social Welfare Department. Agustine, aged 76, was attempting to start a hotel's generator amid a power outage caused by heavy rain when he was buried in the landslide.