Malaysia: 10 dead, more than 50 missing after deadly landslide

At least 10 people have died, seven were injured and more than 50 are missing after a landslide struck a campsite in Malaysia early on Friday, officials said. The deceased included a child and a woman.

A total of 79 people were thought to be caught in the disaster and 23 were found safe, said the fire and rescue department.

The landslide took place in Selangor state at about 3 a.m. local time (19:00 GMT Wednesday). The district is located on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur.

Norazam Khamir, the director of the fire and rescue department said that at least 31 people were rescued at the campsite.

the landslide that caused death of campers in Malaysia is very tragic and heartrending, condolences to the bereaved families pic.twitter.com/gghpiBRAKw

—  (@andychester_) December 16, 2022

Disaster hits after flash flood warning

The calamity occurred just outside the Genting Highlands, a popular tourist destination known for its natural beauty and famous resorts, in Batang Kali district. It hit a farmhouse that provides camping facilities, the fire department said.

The landslide fell from an estimated height of 30 meters above the campsite and covered close to one acre of the site.

12 dead and 20 missing as landslide hits campsite in Malaysia #extremeweather #landslide #campsite #campgrounds #camp #avalanche #KameraOne pic.twitter.com/DIjvDXKtiT

— KameraOne (@kamera_one) December 16, 2022

Alexander Nanta Linggi, Minister of Works of Malaysia tweeted his concern regarding the landslide and said that he would "pray that all the unaccounted for victims are found safely."

A year ago — thousands displaced by floods

The Selangor district is known to be one of the more affluent states in Malaysia. Previously as well it has suffered landslides which were often attributed to forest and land clearance.

Currently, Selangor is going through a monsoon season but no heavy rainfall or earthquakes were observed overnight

According to a report by the Malay Mail, on Monday, the department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) issued a warning of potential flash floods in Malaysian six states, including Selangor over the next 24 hours.

In December 2021, about 21,000 people were displaced after torrential rains caused floods in seven states across the country.