Landslide ripped through farm campsite overnight
*
450,000 cubic metres of soil moved — minister
*
Five children, 12 women among the dead; 12 missing
*
Hundreds involved in search mission
(Updates casualty figures; adds Singapore government statement, quotes from survivors)
By Ebrahim Harris and Rozanna Latiff
BATANG KALI, Malaysia, Dec 16 (Reuters) — A landslide killed at least 21 people, including children, while they slept in their tents at an unlicensed campsite in Malaysia on Friday, officials said, as search teams scoured thick mud and downed trees for survivors.
The landslide in Selangor state bordering the capital, Kuala Lumpur, occurred before 3 a.m.(1900 GMT), berita62 tearing down a hillside into an organic farm that officials said was operating the campsite illegally.
Among the victims were five children and 12 women, berita62 according to the fire and rescue department.
The disaster struck about 50 km (30 miles) north of Kuala Lumpur in Batang Kali, just outside the popular hilltop area of Genting Highlands, known for its resorts, waterfalls and natural beauty.
The earth fell from an estimated height of 30 metres (100 ft) and covered an area of about an acre (0.4 hectares), according to the fire and rescue department’s state director.
The farm owners did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Two of its workers, who are Myanmar nationals, told Reuters they managed to escape with others after being roused by neighbours, berita62 just minutes before the farmhouse was destroyed.
«I have never seen such a horrible incident. I feel so shocked and terrified,» said 35-year-old Thawng Uk.
«We could bring nothing at all as we urgently ran … We are asking around where to get shelter and food.»
His colleague Kung Tuang, 31, said he was afraid they would lose their jobs now that the farm had been destroyed.
An initial investigation showed an embankment of about 450,000 cubic metres of earth had collapsed, according to minister of natural resources, environment and climate change, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
There were 94 people caught in the landslide but 61 were safe, with 12 missing, according to the Malaysia National Disaster Management Agency.
Seven people were injured, including a pregnant woman, while others had wounds ranging from minor cuts to a suspected spinal injury, berita viral health minister Zaliha Mustafa said.
Close to 400 personnel were involved in the rescue mission, police said.
Three Singaporeans were among those rescued, the Singapore government said in a statement.
Its prime minister, Lee Hsien Loong, expressed condolences to Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim and offered assistance in the search and rescue effort.
UNLICENSED BUSINESS
Pictures posted on the Father’s Organic Farm Facebook page show a farmhouse in a small valley, with a large area where tents can be set up.
Its owners were allowed to operate organic farms, but had not applied for licences to run three campsites on the property, Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming told reporters.