SANDAKAN: Thirteen hikers comprising 12 women and one man were found safe after reportedly getting lost while hiking at the Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC), Sepilok, here on Sunday.
Sandakan Fire and Rescue Station chief Jimmy Laggung said five firefighters were deployed to the scene after receiving an emergency call via the 999 line at 7.38pm.
He said the team had to travel about 20km from the station to the location to carry out the search operation.
He added that forest rangers and several other hikers also assisted in locating the group.
According to him, the hikers were on a hill within the forest area when they were unable to find their way down due to darkness.
He said all 13 hikers were eventually found safe and escorted down to the main entrance of the RDC registration area.
He added that the operation was terminated at 9.14pm after all victims were accounted for and confirmed safe.
