Gua Rusa tragedy still haunts rescuer, inspires cave SAR reforms

Sinar Daily

2 days ago

A natural rock formation resembling the face of Abraham Lincoln in Gua Rusa is among the captivating geological wonders found in Mulu National Park. Photo by Bernama
KUCHING - The tragic events of July 12, 2019, are still vividly remembered by Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) officer Mohd Sufri Alulakal, who was part of a search and rescue (SAR) operation following a flash flood at the iconic Gua Rusa (Deer Cave), located within Mulu National Park in Miri.
The incident, which claimed two lives - local tour guide Roviezal Robin, 20, and Dutch tourist Peter Hans Hovenkamp, 66 - led to the formation of the Mountain Cave Search and Rescue (MOCSAR) team by Sarawak JBPM a year later to carry out SAR operations in mountains and caves.
For Sufri, 30, who is now attached to the Lutong Fire and Rescue Station, the Gua Rusa mission was his first experience dealing with a fatal tragedy. The tragedy of July 12, 2019, remains etched in the memory of Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) officer Mohd Sufri Alulakal, who was involved in the search and rescue (SAR) mission for flash flood victims inside Gua Rusa, Mulu National Park, Miri. Photo by Bernama
He said at that time he had just completed a basic course conducted by the Special Tactical Operation and Rescue Team of Malaysia (STORM).
"Together with other STORM members, we were flown to the scene of the tragedy by a JBPM helicopter.
"At the time, I was still new to the team but when I was assigned to Mulu, I knew it wasn't just a routine operation,' he told Bernama recently during a visit to Gua Rusa in conjunction with the Gunung Api expedition in Mulu National Park, organised by the Kuching Division Journalists Association (KDJA).
Sufri was assigned to accompany 10 KDJA members from various media outlets who took on the challenge of scaling Gunung Api, also known as Mulu Pinnacles. The expedition was held in conjunction with Sarawak Day on July 22.
The Mulu National Park, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, contains one of the longest cave networks in the world. Gua Rusa is among the largest caves in the world in terms of main chamber size, spanning approximately two hectares and reaching a height of 122 metres. The Mulu National Park, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, contains one of the longest cave networks in the world. Gua Rusa is among the largest caves in the world in terms of main chamber size, spanning approximately two hectares and reaching a height of 122 metres. Photo by Bernama
Famed for its natural beauty, including limestone formations that are millions of years old and home to millions of bats, the cave also has a complex internal structure and water system, exposing it to whirlpools and sudden strong currents, especially during heavy rain.
CHALLENGES
Recalling the Gua Rusa incident, Sufri said when the SAR team arrived at the scene on the morning of July 13, Hans Hovenkamp's body had already been found - floating in the Melinau George River inside the cave.
"Our task was to search for Roviezal. Although the flood had receded, the narrow passages and dark conditions of the cave, along with the danger posed by rapids and the limestone structures, made the search more hazardous. The tragedy of July 12, 2019, remains etched in the memory of Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) officer Mohd Sufri Alulakal, who was involved in the search and rescue (SAR) mission for flash flood victims inside Gua Rusa, Mulu National Park, Miri. Photo by Bernama
"The challenge here was that we had to dive as the river water was deep… at our nose level,' added Sufri, who is also a member of JBPM's Water Rescue Team.
He said the second victim's body was found on the third day of the SAR mission, caught on a log near the cave entrance.
Now, after seven years of service with JBPM, he said the SAR mission in Gua Rusa remains his most challenging operation.
The tragedy also, for safety reasons, led to the permanent closure of the Garden of Eden (involving Section A), one of the trails in Gua Rusa leading to the Melinau George waterfall, where the flash flood occurred. The 'Garden of Eden' trail has been permanently closed for safety reasons following the Gua Rusa tragedy in 2019. Photo by Bernama
Incidentally, Roviezal's younger brother Gideon Robin, 20, now works as a tour guide and porter at Mulu National Park while their older sibling Willvien Robin, 31, is a member of MOCSAR.
"I was 15 when the tragedy occurred… now I want to carry on my late brother's legacy as a tour guide here,' Gideon said.
CAVE RESCUE UNIQUE
MOCSAR was established by JBPM Sarawak in 2020 to manage search and rescue operations in high-risk areas such as mountains, national parks and caves across the state.
Sarawak JBPM director Jamri Masran said the MOCSAR team now has 18 members, including Mulu National Park staff as well as mountain guides, porters and tour guides who are familiar with the local terrain.
Serving as a support unit to JBPM, MOCSAR team members must complete an intensive 100-hour course that covers rope handling, vertical rescue techniques such as hauling and lowering, and first aid. To maintain a high level of preparedness, they are also required to undergo an additional 50 hours of technical competency training.
According to Jamri, it is ideal for MOCSAR members to be locals who understand the customs and culture of the surrounding communities.
"Some caves are considered sacred by local communities, especially the Berawan and Penan ethnic groups,' he told Bernama, adding that the challenge and uniqueness of cave rescues in Sarawak lie in the mountainous terrains full of caves and ravines.
"At this (Mulu) national park alone, an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 people hike annually.'
Following the Gua Rusa incident, JBPM Sarawak designated MOCSAR as the first responder for cave and mountain SAR operations, enabling a much faster response to emergencies compared to before.
"The response time for fire teams to reach mountainous areas used to be long due to the distance from fire stations to the sites concerned,' Jamri said. Citing Mulu National Park as an example, he said the nearest fire station is located about 120 kilometres away in Marudi. - BERNAMA