On December 16, 2022, a rescue worker is seen in the midst of an operation following a landslide at a campsite in Batang Kali, Selangor, Malaysia. Korporat JBPM via AP
Batang Kali, Malaysia — On Friday, a landslide in Malaysia killed 21 people at a campground, and during the night, rescuers combed through the mud for another 12 individuals who were believed to be buried.
More than 90 people were sleeping on an organic farm when around 3 acres of soil fell from a road approximately 100 feet above the spot. According to the state’s fire department chief, two of the deceased were discovered in a passionate hug.
Authorities informed local media outlets that the landowners lacked a license to operate a campground. At least seven individuals were hospitalized and dozens more were rescued unharmed, according to Suffian Abdullah, the local police chief.
Leong Jim Meng told the English-language newspaper New Straits Times that he and his family were awakened by a loud blast and felt the earth shake 50 kilometers (30 miles) north of the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur.
“My family and I were entrapped when the ground engulfed our tent. We made it to a parking lot and heard a second landslide occurring “The 57-year-old was reported to have said. In recent days, he noted, there has been no major precipitation, simply mild drizzles.
Veronica Loi, who slept overnight at the location and survived the landslide, told AFP that her family was resting when they suddenly heard a tremendous noise.
“We noticed the tent next to us was completely gone,” she stated.
16 December 2022: Rescuers working at a campsite following a landslide in Batang Kali, Selangor, Malaysia. Korporat JBPM via AP
The monsoon season is presently underway in Malaysia, and the country’s development minister, Nga Kor Ming, said that all campgrounds near rivers, waterfalls, and slopes will be shuttered for a week to check their safety.
The Selangor state fire department tweeted photographs of rescue workers using an excavator and shovels to dig through earth and debris. Officials estimate the depth of the rubble to be 8 meters (26 feet). More than 400 rescuers and tracking dogs will work through the night to locate the dozen missing individuals.
Free Malaysia Today described Selangor state fire chief Norazam Khamis as saying that two of the victims recovered were “hugging each other” and were believed to be a mother and daughter. The fire brigade reported that five children were among the deceased.
In the aftermath of a landslide at a campsite in Batang Kali, Selangor state, Malaysia, on December 16, 2022, damaged vehicles can be seen among the debris. Korporat JBPM via AP
Nik Nazmi estimates that 450,000 cubic meters (about 16 million cubic feet) of debris, enough to fill 180 Olympic-sized swimming pools, fell on the campsite. Nik Ahmad, the minister of natural resources, the environment, and climate change, told local media.
Wednesday, according to Suffian, the district police commander, the victims entered the location, a popular recreational site where locals pitch or hire tents from the farm. The campsite is close to Genting Highlands, a popular tourist attraction with theme parks and Malaysia’s lone casino.
After visiting the site late on Friday evening, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim ordered a special payment would be made to the families of the deceased as well as to the survivors.
Nga told the local media that the campground has been functioning unlawfully for two years. He stated that the operator had official authority to operate an organic farm, but no camping authorization. The camp operator, Nga cautioned, may face up to three years in prison and a fine if proven guilty.
Father’s Organic Farm, the farm where the campsite was located, changed its Facebook profile picture to black on Friday.
The government has put stringent regulations on hillside development, although landslides have continued to occur during periods of severe weather.
In March, four individuals were murdered in a Kuala Lumpur suburb when a large landslide caused by heavy rains buried their homes.
In 1993, a massive mudslide produced by heavy rain outside the capital caused a 12-story residential building to collapse, resulting in the deaths of 48 people.
AFP contributed to the creation of this report.
»At least 21 persons are killed by a landslide in a campground«