At least 16 die, several missing after landslide in Malaysia
(Update 1: Updates casualties and missing figures)
Bangkok, Dec 16 (EFE).- At least 16 people, including a child, were killed and many more were missing after a landslide struck a camping site in Malaysia’s Selangor state early on Friday, authorities said.
The National Agency for Disaster Management said 61 people were rescued.
Citing the police, the state-run Bernama news agency said an estimated 100 people were at the campsite when the area was hit by the landslide outside the hilly Genting Highlands, some 40 km from Kuala Lumpur.
The government swiftly began a massive search and rescue operation.
The news agency said 16 people were confirmed dead.
Bernama reported that a child was among the deceased in the tragdedy.
The access roads to the accident site have been closed to facilitate the passage of rescue services.
Police said people were spending the night at the campsite near Father’s Organic Farm when the tragedy occurred.
The landslide-hit area is about 15 km from the popular tourist destination Genting Highlands, known for its resorts and natural beauty, located on a hill some 1,740 meters high.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he was shocked.
“I have asked that search and rescue operations be done in a careful and systematic way by all government bodies,” he said.
He said he advised ministers visiting the site not to disrupt operations. EFE
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