KOTA KINABALU: A memorial has been held to commemorate the ninth anniversary of the 6.1-magnitude earthquake that struck Mount Kinabalu, one of the worst tragedies in Sabah’s history, on Wednesday (June 5).

The ceremony, which began at 8.30am, took place at the Kiau Gap View, Timpohon Gate at Sabah Parks in the Kundasang highlands, about 92km from Kota Kinabalu.

Among those in attendance were heads of departments from the police, district hospital, Fire and Rescue, Sabah Parks, district office, and the information department.

Attendees observed a moment of silence at the monument erected at the Timpohon Gate, the starting point to scale the 4,101m-high mountain, the highest in the country.

They also placed wreaths and flowers in remembrance of those who perished, including the people who gave their lives to rescue the victims.

Ranau Fire and Rescue station chief Ridwan Mohd Taib extended words of comfort to the families of the victims.

“We send our condolences to all the families of the victims of the tragedy,” he said when contacted.

“And we are grateful for the sacrifices made by everyone involved in the incident,” he added.

Sabah Parks director Dr Maklarin Lakim said the ceremony was held to remember the 18 souls lost in the tragedy and to respect their next of kin.

“This tragedy is a reminder to improve the standard operating procedures (SOP) or safety measures for climbing Mount Kinabalu,” he said.

The 6.1 Richter scale earthquake at Mount Kinabalu in 2015 claimed the lives of 18 climbers, including schoolchildren from Singapore and four Sabahan mountain guides.