What delayed the recovery of Martin Mat Tapa’s body in Gunung Tabai?

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The recovery of Martin Mat Tapa's body was delayed due to the unstable condition within the tunnel.

The body of 25-year-old Martin Mat Tapa, who was crushed by a boulder in a tunnel in Gunung Tabai, Bau, was finally extricated on March 26, almost three days after the incident. Rescue efforts were hampered by the precarious state of the tunnel, preventing immediate recovery of the deceased.
Unstable Tunnel Conditions Prevented Immediate Extrication

Following the rockfall that killed Martin Mat Tapa, rescue workers located his body at 4:30 pm on the first day of the operation. However, the unstable geological conditions inside the tunnel posed a significant risk, forcing rescuers to postpone the recovery of his body. This situation was so severe that Mat Tapa's family had begun to consider the tunnel as his final resting place.
Context of the Incident

Mat Tapa had entered the tunnel on Tuesday with two companions to mine for gold. In the early hours of Wednesday, a boulder fell, crushing him. His dying plea was for his companions to escape to safety, which they did before alerting Mat Tapa's family and subsequently the authorities. A search and rescue operation, involving firefighters and villagers, commenced on Wednesday morning.
Efforts to Prevent Future Encroachment

In response to the incident, Datu Len Talif Salleh, chairman of the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC), indicated plans to appoint honorary wildlife rangers from the local community. These individuals would help monitor Gunung Tabai and deter people from encroaching into the area for illegal gold mining. Signages have already been erected to warn of the dangers, and efforts are underway to educate locals about the risks associated with mining in the sensitive area, which falls under SFC jurisdiction.

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What delayed the recovery of Martin Mat Tapa’s body in Gunung Tabai?

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