International

Malaysia: 2 Dead, 50 Missing And Several Trapped After Severe Landslide Hits Kuala Lumpur Campsite

According to the state fire and rescue department, the landslide occurred at about 3 am local time (1900 GMT) in Selangor state, on the outskirts of the capital, Kuala Lumpur. A farmhouse providing camping facilities which was on the side of the road was destroyed by the landslide

Representational Image
info_icon

A deadly lanslide at a campsite in Malaysia's capital city Kuala Lumpur killed two people on Friday while more than 50 are missing.

The search and rescue personnel are on the site looking for survivors, said the officials.

What did the state fire and rescue department say?

According to the state fire and rescue department, the landslide occurred at about 3 am local time (1900 GMT) in Selangor state, on the outskirts of the capital, Kuala Lumpur. A farmhouse providing camping facilities which was on the side of the road was destroyed by the landslide

So far, it has been reported that 79 people were caught in the landslide and 23 were found safe. Further, in addition to the two dead, three were injured and 51 were still missing.

The director of the department, Norazam Khamis, told reporters that the landslide fell from an estimated height of 30 metres (100 ft) above the campsite, and covered an area of about one acre (0.4 hectare), as per media reports.

The disaster struck just outside the Genting Highlands, a scenic hill country area in Batang Kali district, north of the capital that is popular for its resorts and natural beauty. Selangor has suffered landslides before, often attributed to forest and land clearance.

A year ago, about 21,000 people were displaced by flooding from torrential rain in seven states across the country.