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SANDAKAN: A hotel worker died after being buried in a landslide behind a hotel in Sandakan town early Wednesday morning.

The victim, identified as Agustine Frederick J Lingam, 76, was confirmed dead behind Hotel London after he was extricated by firefighters.

Fire and Rescue Station chief Jimmy Lagung said a fire engine with personnel was dispatched to the scene after receiving an emergency call through the NG999 line at 6.39am and arrived about nine minutes later.

Preliminary investigation found the incident occurred during heavy rain which caused a power outage at the hotel, prompting staff to attempt to start a generator located behind the building, when according to witnesses the victim was buried in the landslide while trying to start the genset.

Firefighters removed the victim using shovels and successfully extricated him at 7.14am before handing the body to the Health Ministry for examination and subsequently to the Royal Malaysia Police for further action, with the operation ending at 8.19am after safety barriers were installed and the area was declared safe.