Search continues for 9 campers caught in Malaysia landslide

The search for missing campers caught in a deadly landslide at an unlicensed campsite in Malaysia continued for a third day on Sunday (Dec 18), with the fire department saying the chance of finding survivors is slim.

At least 24 people died after a landslide tore through a campsite in Father's Organic Farm early on Friday while campers slept in tents at Batang Kali, a popular hilly area near Genting Highlands and about 50km north of capital Kuala Lumpur.

Of the 94 people caught in the landslide, 61 were safe and nine still missing, the Selangor state fire and rescue department said. Those killed included seven children.

Responders have deployed excavators and rescue dogs to search for people trapped under mud and debris, while heavy rain has raised concern of further landslides. Malaysia's fire and rescue services also deployed ground penetrating radar - which uses electromagnetic waves - and said heavy machinery would be operated carefully to prevent any damage to bodies.

State fire and rescue chief Norazam Khamis said the chance of finding more survivors was slim given the lack of oxygen and weight of mud pressing down on the site.

An initial investigation showed an embankment of around 450,000 cubic metres of earth had collapsed. The earth fell from an estimated height of 30m and covered an area of about an acre (0.4ha).

Landslides are common in Malaysia but typically occur only after heavy rain. Flooding is also common, with about 21,000 people displaced last year by torrential rain in seven states.

News agency Bernama reported on Sunday that the police had called in the Father’s Organic Farm campsite operator and two of its workers to give statements.

“We may be calling more parties involved to assist in the investigation," said Hulu Selangor district police chief Suffian Abdullah.

On Friday, Malaysia's Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming said the campsite did not have a valid license for camping activities.