Of the 92 people at the campsite, 59 have been found and are safe
The landslide that hit the camp in the early hours of the morning, as most of the ninety-plus people there were sleeping, claimed the lives of at least 13 people, Malaysian authorities announcedas rescue crews continue to search for 22 missing people who were crushed by mudslides, amid debris and uprooted trees, according to authorities.
The tragedy unfolded in Selangor state, about 50 kilometers from the capital Kuala Lumpur, at around 03:00 (local time; yesterday Thursday at 21:00 Greek time), when part of a hill flattened the camp located in the farm area.
Eyewitnesses said a sound like thunder was heard before the landslide hit. A 22-year-old woman who was in the camp said one of her brothers died but her mother and she were able to crawl out of the tent and save themselves. Another of her brothers, she added, is being treated in a hospital.
Of the 92 people who were at the campsite, 59 have been found and are safe, while in addition to the 13 dead, another 8 people have been injured and are being treated in hospitals, including a pregnant woman, according to the fire brigade and the Ministry of Health.
All the victims are Malay nationals and among them is at least a 5-year-old child, according to Soufian Abdullah, a police officer in the area.
400 members of various services were deployed to the scene of the disaster.
Bernama news agency reported that all camps and other recreational facilities in the Batag Kali area were ordered to close until further notice, citing the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The area where the landslide occurred is known for its resorts, waterfalls and natural beauty.
Selangor, Malaysia’s richest state, has experienced landslides in the past, often attributed to deforestation.
Malaysia is in the rainy season and generally floods and landslides are not uncommon during this time, but there had been no rainfall before today’s landslide.
In March, four people died when a landslide crushed four houses in a suburb of the capital Kuala Lumpur.
A year ago, about 21,000 people were displaced by floods in seven Malaysian states.
In 1993, a giant mudslide caused the collapse of a 12-story apartment building, killing 48 people. It was one of the worst such disasters in Malaysian history.
RES-EMP
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With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.
