Malaysian search and rescue teams are scouring a holiday campsite in the Selangor state for survivors after a landslide killed at least 21 people.Some 400 rescue workers spent Friday digging through mud to find 12 missing people, local media reported. Among the victims are five children and 12 women, officials announced. The Associated press has the story:
Rescue teams use a backhoe continue the search for victims caught in a landslide, Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, in Batang Kali, Malaysia. A landslide Friday, Dec. 16, 2022, at a tourist campground in Malaysia left more than a dozen of people dead and authorities said a dozen of others were feared buried at the site on an organic farm outside the capital of Kuala Lumpur. (AP Photo Vincent Thian)
More than 90 people were sleeping on an organic farm when the dirt tumbled from a road about 30 meters (100 feet) above the site and covered about 1 hectare (3 acres). Two of the dead were found locked in an embrace, according to the state fire department chief.
In this photo released by Korporat JBPM, rescuers work at a campsite following a landslide, in Batang Kali, Selangor state, on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Dec. 16, 2022. A landslide Friday at a tourist campground in Malaysia left more than a dozen of people dead and authorities said a dozen others were feared buried at the site on an organic farm outside the capital of Kuala Lumpur. (Korporat JBPM via AP)
A large swath of soil is seen after Friday’s landslide that covered a campground, Saturday morning, Dec. 17, 2022, in Batang Kali, Malaysia. A landslide Friday, Dec. 16, 2022, at a tourist campground in Malaysia left more than a dozen of people dead and authorities said a dozen of others were feared buried at the site on an organic farm outside the capital of Kuala Lumpur. (AP Photo Vincent Thian)
Leong Jim Meng told the New Straits Times English-language daily that he and his family were awakened by a loud bang and felt the earth move at the campsite in Batang Kali, around 50 kilometers (30 miles) north of the capital of Kuala Lumpur.
In this photo released by Korporat JBPM, rescuers work during a rescue and evacuation operation following a landslide at a campsite in Batang Kali, Selangor state, on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Dec. 16, 2022. (Korporat JBPM via AP)
“My family and I were trapped as soil covered our tent. We managed to escape to a carpark area and heard a second landslide happening,” the 57-year-old was quoted as saying. He said it was surprising because there was no heavy rain in recent days, only light drizzles.
Fire and rescue team members look down on a landslide Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, in Batang Kali, Malaysia. A landslide Friday, Dec. 16, 2022, at a tourist campground in Malaysia left more than a dozen of people dead and authorities said a dozen of others were feared buried at the site on an organic farm outside the capital of Kuala Lumpur. (AP Photo Vincent Thian)
It is currently the season for monsoon rains in Malaysia, and the country’s government development minister, Nga Kor Ming, said all campsites nationwide that are near rivers, waterfalls and hillsides would be closed for a week to assess their safety.
This photo released by Korporat JBPM shows rescuers work, following a landslide at a campsite in Batang Kali, Selangor state, on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Dec. 16, 2022. (Korporat JBPM via AP)
The Selangor state fire department posted photos of rescuers digging through soil and rubble with an excavator and shovels. Officials said the rubble is believed to be 8 meters (26 feet) deep. More than 400 rescuers as well as tracking dogs are set to work through the night to find the dozen people still missing.
Rescue team gather at a control post near the site of a landslide at an organic farm in Batang Kali, Malaysia, Friday, Dec. 16, 2022. Dozens of Malaysians were believed to have been at a tourist campground in Batang Kali, outside the capital of Kuala Lumpur, when the incident occurred, said a district police chief. (AP Photo/FL Wong)
Selangor state fire chief Norazam Khamis was cited by the Free Malaysia Today news portal as saying that two of the bodies found were “hugging each other” and believed to be mother and daughter. The fire department said five children were among those who perished.
Fire and Rescue team prepare for their operation near the site of a landslide at an organic farm in Batang Kali, Malaysia, Friday, Dec. 16, 2022. Dozens of Malaysians were believed to have been at a tourist campground in Batang Kali, outside the capital of Kuala Lumpur, when the incident occurred, said a district police chief. (AP Photo/FL Wong)
An estimated 450,000 cubic meters (nearly 16 million cubic feet) of debris — enough to fill 180 Olympic-sized swimming pools — hit the campsite, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, the natural resources, environment and climate change minister, told local media.
Rescue team prepare equipment near the site of a landslide at an organic farm in Batang Kali, Malaysia, Friday, Dec. 16, 2022. Dozens of Malaysians were believed to have been at a tourist campground in Batang Kali, outside the capital of Kuala Lumpur, when the incident occurred, said a district police chief. (AP Photo/FL Wong)
Suffian, the district police chief, said the victims entered the area, a popular recreational site for locals to pitch or rent tents from the farm, on Wednesday. The campsite is not far from the Genting Highlands hill resort, a popular tourist destination with theme parks and Malaysia’s only casino.
Rescue teams continue the search for victims caught in a landslide, Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, in Batang Kali, Malaysia. A landslide Friday, Dec. 16, 2022, at a tourist campground in Malaysia left more than a dozen of people dead and authorities said a dozen of others were feared buried at the site on an organic farm outside the capital of Kuala Lumpur. (AP Photo Vincent Thian)
After visiting the site late Friday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced a special payment to the families of those killed as well as survivors.
MalaysiaA view of a deadly landslide is seen early Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, in Batang Kali, Malaysia. A landslide Friday, Dec. 16, 2022, at a tourist campground in Malaysia left more than a dozen of people dead and authorities said a dozen of others were feared buried at the site on an organic farm outside the capital of Kuala Lumpur. (AP Photo Vincent Thian)
Nga told local media that the campsite has been operating illegally for the past two years. The operator has government approval to run an organic farm but has no license for camping activities, he said. If found guilty, Nga warned, the camp operator could face up to three years in prison and a fine.
