Penang doctor dies after being buried alive in landslide; wife heard crying at scene

After her husband died in a landslide in Taman Seri Rambai, Paya Terubong in Malaysia on Sunday (Oct 25), Chang Mei Nuo was seen crying inconsolably outside their Penang home, unable to stand.

This comes after a landslide took place in the area, smashing into the home of Wong Kar Lin, 73, and Chang.

The landslide had caused a wall of the doctor's home to collapse on him, leaving him partially buried, The New Straits Times reported.

Chang, 68, and her 35-year-old son, both of whom were at home during the incident, managed to escape, according to Penang Fire and Rescue Department director Mohamad Shoki Hamzah.

The family was reportedly preparing breakfast at the time of the incident.

The Malaysian Health Ministry confirmed the Wong's death at 9.10am.

Speaking with Berita Harian, Wong's mother-in-law, Wong Poh Lim, shared that she had been taking a shower upstairs when her daughter, Chang, informed her of the landslide.

Poh Lim, in her 80s, immediately ran to safety — when they passed by the ground floor, however, they found Wong already pinned underneath the collapsed rubble, Malay Mail reported.

Meanwhile, a neighbour who identified himself only as Lim, in his 30s, said he was asleep when he was startled by a loud crashing sound, The Star reported.

"I was sleeping when I heard a thunderous crash near my house. When I stepped out to check, I saw that a landslide had occurred (at the back of the neighbouring house)," he said.

Devoted son-in-law

Praising Wong as a devoted son-in-law, Poh Lim shared that they had lived together for more than 30 years, making his death exceptionally painful.

Wong's body was retrieved at around 11.30am, more than two hours after the landslide took place.

While she mourns the loss of her husband, Chang expressed relief that Wong's body was still intact, according to Malay Mail.

President of environmental group Sahabat Alam Malaysia, Meenakshi Raman, questioned the Penang government if there were sufficient safety measures in place around the location of the landslide.

She said that the incident was a reminder of the dangers that could result extensive hill-cutting, further commenting that residents and non-governmental organisations had repeatedly warned about the risks of major works in the area, The New Straits Times reported.

"Unfortunately, we have been proven right once again," she said in a statement.

[[nid:746237]]

khooyihang@asiaone.com