Monitoring Desk
ISLAMABAD/BATANG KALI: The death toll from the landslides in Malaysia reached 23 with around 10 people still missing.
Authorities said that rescue workers were busy in the search and rescue operation for missing persons on Saturday. On Friday, a deadly predawn landslide hit the site at an organic farm near Batang Kali town outside the capital.
Norazam Khamis, fire and rescue director, said there were very slim chances of finding the missing people from the mud alive after a day passed. “At the campsite near the casino resort, more than 90 people, most of them asleep, were hit by the landslide. 61 among them were rescued safe,” officials said.
He said that after the investigation if the farm was found of breaking the law and operating without a licence, it would be punished.
Malaysian Prime Minister Visited Lanslide Site
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also visited the landslide site and announced financial aid for the victims.
State Chief Minister of Selangor Amirudin Shari said in a Twitter message to close down all camping and picnic sites in the state for one week. After the incident, strict rules were imposed on development on the hillside.
It is important to mention here that landslides are common in Malaysia after heavy rains, but no rain was recorded on that day in the area.
In March, a landslide caused by heavy rains killed four people in their homes in a suburban area of Kuala Lumpur. In 1993, a 12-story residential building near the capital collapsed in a huge mudslide after heavy rain left 48 dead.
