Earthquake in Sabah!

Hello,

I woke up yesterday morning at 6.45AM and was watching videos on Youtube at 7AM. 15 minutes past 7AM, my kitchen door started rattling like mad as if someone tried to break in. Then every doors in my house started rattling too. I got the shock of my life when my ceiling fan started swinging from left to right and right to left. I looked on the opposite block of my apartment and EVERY windows of the whole block was shaking. That's when I know it was an Earthquake.

Never in a thousand years I would expect an earthquake would struck Sabah. It was only for 5 seconds. I had chills running down my spine. My phone went crazy, texts and phone calls. I'm glad to say that I'm fine. Nothing happened then. 

If you have been following the news, Sabah was hit by some say 5.9 and 6.0 scale richter and the epicentre was in Ranau. Mount Kinabalu is situated in Kundasang. The real source has yet to be identified but as far as I'm concerned, our history books told us that the long ago active volcanic mountain is now stable and inactive. The tremor was so strong that I can feel it 150 miles away. Imagine those who are closer to the epicentre. History needs to be rewrite.

Cover Photo : I was here exactly 2 months ago

SOCIAL MEDIA 

Hundreds of mountain climbers were stranded on Mount Kinabalu's peak as most of the paths had been destroyed caused by the quake. Unfortunately, there are casualties, mostly those who were on their way to the peak from Via Ferrata. A mountain guide Robbi Sapinggi lost his life during the tragedy. He was hit by a falling rock and passed due to loss of blood. It was said that he told his team to get themselves to safety and not wait for him. His loyalty and dedication will be remembered forever. He left behind his 6 months old child and his Irish wife.

A Singaporean student also lost her life. There are pictures shared and posted in social media of them but I refuse to post it here out of respect for the deceased. As of now, there are more than 10 casualties. My deepest condolences goes to their families. 

Also, Mount Kinabalu is a sacred place to us Sabahans. Less than a week before this tragedy, a group of foreigners did something what we Sabahans were taught never to do in sacred places such as using vulgarities, taking a pee in random areas, indecent actions and more. The foreigners apparently reached the peak and got themselves naked and took group photos. Mountain guides (known as malim) had warned them but they teased and foul mouthed the guides instead. Some said that the actions triggered the anger of Aki Nabalu superstitiously. It may not be real but we have to respect the beliefs of others. Better safe than sorry. 

Stranded climbers

Some suffered Hypothermia 

Nudists, the culprits

Trails destroyed

UNSUNG HEROES

Around 30 local mountain guides were sent up to bring stranded climbers to safety. Here's an idea of who they are. They are people who can carry things more than half their weight uphill and very very experienced route seekers and climbers. Here are some pictures of them bringing victims to safety. They created new and safe routes so stranded climbers can go downhill to safety. Without a doubt, these malims did what we normal humans need decades of training to do.

I put my head down being respectful and thankful for their bravery and actions. Thank you.

A mountain guide carrying an injured victim on his back

Ridwan a mountain guide carrying an injured victim

Mountain Guides taking less than 10 minutes break to fill themselves up

Extraordinary

AUTHORITIES

Even a blind man can see the defects and inefficiency of the authorities. There are multiple videos showing inexperienced so called "rescue team" throwing off survival packages from a helicopter to stranded climbers and missed. The dropped packages was far beyond sights or reach. 

Some stranded victims also said that the skies were clear and the condition there was safe to land but excuses were given by the authorities not to land. Thus, malim did what no "helicopter" can do. 

Apparently, in local media such as newspapers and news stations, all the credit goes to the authorities. WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR MOUNTAIN GUIDES? They did 99% of the job and no credits were given! Absurd as it is, it doesn't take a grown man to notice it.

To those who are still there, be safe. Those who lost their family members, I am truly sorry for your loss. I hope that missing climbers will be found and brought to safety. Once again, a million thanks to the unsung heroes.

We should all learn more about earthquake survival. As for me, I will prepare myself. I am still traumatised by what I saw from the kitchen window. Be safe.

**All the photos in here doesn't belong to me. Contact me if the picture belongs to you and I will take it down. I only own the cover photo.

#prayforsabah