Two men in their 30s died when a two-metre-high riverbank embankment collapsed during suspected illegal gold mining near a stream at Jerimbong oil palm plantation in Jeli on May 20, 2026 [1, 2]. The incident occurred at about 8:20 p.m., trapping three men under the soil that gave way [1, 2]. One of the men survived the collapse [1, 2].
Nine firefighters from Jeli Fire and Rescue Station took part in the rescue operation, supported by an FRT engine, EMRS unit, and a Rapid Responder Vehicle (RRV) [1, 2]. The rescue team faced difficulties accessing the plantation because fire engines could not enter narrow routes. Jeli Fire and Rescue Station chief Adni Ibrahim said, "Operations had to use a Hilux pickup truck to reach the location" [1].
The search began at 9:20 p.m., shortly after the collapse, with firefighters locating the victims buried under the two-metre-high soil embankment near a tributary stream [2]. The first victim was recovered five minutes later, at 9:25 p.m. The second victim was found almost two hours later, at 11:18 p.m. Both were declared dead at the scene before their bodies were handed over to police authorities [1, 2]. The rescue operation ended at 11:40 p.m. [1].
The incident involved suspected illegal gold mining activities, although details on the exact cause of the embankment failure have not been released [1, 2]. Authorities have not reported any further casualties beyond the two fatalities and one survivor.
Rescue officials described the scene as challenging due to limited access and the unstable soil conditions following the collapse. Chief Ibrahim noted, "The search operation began at 9.20pm and it was found that two victims were buried following the collapse of a two-metre-high soil embankment in the tributary area" [2].
