A Landslide in Malaysia Kills 21 Campers and Leaves Much More Missing

Malaysian search and rescue crews are searching for survivors at a holiday campsite in Selangor state after a landslide killed at least 21 people.

Families were resting in tents when the avalanche hit around 03:00 Friday (19:00 GMT Thursday) at a farm stay in Batang Kali township.

According to local media, 400 rescue workers spent Friday sifting through muck to find 12 missing people.

According to officials, the victims included five children and twelve women.

According to Fire Chief Norazam Khamis, the two victims discovered “hugging each other” and are believed to be mothers and daughters.

According to the farm’s operators, at least 30 children and 51 adults had registered for an overnight stay. Health Minister Zaliha Mustafa stated that one of those hurt was a pregnant lady.

According to the New Straits Times, more than 20 primary school teachers and their families were also present at the campsite.

Malaysia’s fire and rescue department stated a 30m (100ft) high slope damaged the campsite in “a horrific disaster, landslide involving approximately 450,000 square meters of earth.

According to local government development minister Nga Kor Ming, the camp facility was operating illegally. Approval to manage an organic farm not allowed to run camping activities.

If found guilty of breaking the law, the owner might face up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 50,000 ringgit (£9,306; $11,318).

Mr. Nga also stated that he ordered the immediate closure of all “high-risk” camping sites throughout Malaysia, including those located along rivers, waterfalls, and hillsides, for seven days.

A statement by Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi warned that it to worsen in the coming days.

He stated. “The lessons from today must learned.

Meanwhile, a representative for Singapore’s foreign ministry confirmed “heartfelt condolences and sympathy to all by the landslide,” Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said.

The cause of the landslide, which occurred in a forested, mountainous area next to the side of the road in Batang Kali, near the Genting Highland region, remains unknown.

Locals reported light rain but no severe downpours or tremors in the days preceding it. However, the monsoon season has begun in Malaysia.

Helmeted rescuers seen stumbling across difficult terrain over toppled trees and other debris in photos posted online by Malaysian rescue organisations.

Lynn Xuan says her mother survived, but her brother died, and another brother injured and transported to the hospital.

“We sensed the tents were growing unstable, and soil was falling around us,” she explained to Malaysian daily Berita Harian.

“My mother and I crawled out and saved ourselves.”

She stated that they had gone camping with a large group of over 40 people.

Another survivor, Leong Jim Meng, said an explosion woke him and his family up before the ground began to shake.

They temporarily trapped in their tents by debris before escaping.

He said,” Because of the darkness, I could not understand anything.”