The festive spirit of Chinese New Year in Sarawak was marred by tragedy when a landslide struck Kampung Lereng Bukit, Miri, early yesterday, claiming five lives and leaving the community in grief.

The search and rescue (SAR) operation, which began at 3.03am, ended at 6.50pm after the last victim was found at 6.06pm and retrieved from the rubble 20 minutes later.