Missing Sabah Electricity worker found dead after three-day search

A SABAH Electricity worker who was swept away by floodwaters in Keningau has been found dead after a three-day search.

The victim, identified as Masdeh Rasmin, aged in his 30s, went missing on 16 September while attempting to cross a bridge in heavy rain with two colleagues, who survived.

He was last seen being carried away by strong currents near Sungai Kepayan and later spotted again at Sungai Baginda, but rescuers were unable to reach him.

The search and rescue effort involved firefighters, police and civil defence personnel, who combed a 40km stretch of the Pagalan river using boats and drones.

His shoe was discovered near Kampung Linsudan, about 21km downstream from where he disappeared.

At 6.18pm on 18 September, Masdeh’s body was found by Team Gallon Star – a group of local villagers who patrol rivers using sticks tied to empty plastic gallons as makeshift floats.

They recovered his body at Kampung Liau Laut, Keningau, before handing it over to the rescue team and police.

Officials said Masdeh was wearing a Sabah Electricity vest when he was swept away.

The authorities confirmed that his two colleagues, aged 24 and 38, managed to escape safely.

As of 18 September 2025, 4pm, a total of 3,325 evacuees are sheltering in 28 evacuation centres across six districts in Sabah, with 13 confirmed deaths from floods and landslides on September 15 and 16.

By district, the numbers of evacuees are: Beaufort (286), Penampang (680), Membakut (1,085), Papar (395), Putatan (555), and Sipitang (324). - September 19, 2025