12 dead, over 20 missing after landslide hits Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), December 16: Twelve people died and more than 20 remain missing after a landslide struck a campsite on the outskirts of Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur on early Friday.

The landslide occurred around 3 a.m. (1900 GMT) in Selangor state, on the outskirts of the capital, Kuala Lumpur, tearing down a hillside into an organic farm with camping facilities, according to the state fire and rescue department in a statement.

Meanwhile, the New Strait Times reported that 79 people were at the campsite when the landslide occurred. According to the Fire and Rescue Department, 23 people escaped the landslide unharmed.

"The search and rescue efforts are still ongoing with the assistance of the fire department and other agencies such as the Voluntary Fire Association, Private Fire Department, police, Malaysian Civil Defence Force, Health Ministry and the SMART team," said officials on Facebook.

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The landslide's height is estimated to be 30 metres, with an area of 3 acres.

According to Datuk Norazam Khamis, director of the Selangor Fire and Rescue Department, firefighters began arriving at the scene around 3 a.m. after receiving a distress call at 2:24 a.m., according to the New Strait Times.

According to the director, search and rescue operations are being carried out actively, including the use of tracking dog units (K9) and Emergency Services Support Units.

As per the New Strait Times, he said firemen from Kuala Kubu Baru, Rawang, Genting, Selayang, Shah Alam, and Damansara, as well as personnel and rescue equipment, had been dispatched from KLIA, Petaling Jaya, Pandan, Ampang, Kajang, and Andalas stations.

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