Landslide at Malaysia campground kills 21 and leaves 12 missing

Rescuers work during a rescue and evacuation operation following a landslide at a campsite in Batang Kali. Photo / AP

A thunderous crash of soil and debris killed 21 people at a campground in Malaysia, and rescuers dug through the mud in the night for another 12 who were feared buried in the landslide.

More than 90 people were sleeping on an organic farm when the dirt tumbled from a road about 30 metres above the site and covered about 1.2 hectares. Two of the dead were found locked in an embrace, according to the state fire department chief.

Authorities told local media the landowners did not have a licence to run a campground. At least seven people were hospitalised and dozens more were rescued unharmed, said district police chief Suffian Abdullah.

Leong Jim Meng told the New Straits Times English-language daily that he and his family were awakened by a loud bang and felt the earth move at the campsite in Batang Kali, around 50 kilometres north of the capital Kuala Lumpur.

“My family and I were trapped as soil covered our tent. We managed to escape to a carpark area and heard a second landslide happening,” the 57-year-old was quoted as saying. He said it was surprising because there was no heavy rain in recent days, only light drizzle.

A rescue team prepares equipment near the site of a landslide at an organic farm in Batang Kali, Malaysia. Photo / AP

It is currently the season for monsoon rains in Malaysia, and the country’s government development minister, Nga Kor Ming, said all campsites nationwide that are near rivers, waterfalls and hillsides would be closed for a week to assess their safety.

The Selangor state fire department posted photos of rescuers digging through soil and rubble with an excavator and shovels. Officials said the rubble is believed to be 8 metres deep. More than 400 rescuers as well as tracking dogs were set to work through the night to find the dozen people still missing.

Selangor state fire chief Norazam Khamis was cited by the Free Malaysia Today news portal as saying two of the bodies found were “hugging each other” and were believed to be mother and daughter. The fire department said five children were among those who perished.

An estimated 450,000 cubic metres of debris — enough to fill 180 Olympic-sized swimming pools — hit the campsite, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, the natural resources, environment and climate change minister, told local media.

Rescuers work at a campsite following a landslide, in Batang Kali, Selangor state, on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. Photo / AP

District police chief Suffian Abdullah said the area was a popular recreational site for locals to pitch or rent tents from the farm. The campsite is not far from the Genting Highlands hill resort, a popular tourist destination with theme parks and Malaysia’s only casino.

After visiting the site, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced a special payment to the families of those killed, as well as survivors.

Nga told local media the campsite has been operating illegally for the past two years. The operator has government approval to run an organic farm but has no licence for camping activities, he said. If found guilty, Nga warned, the camp operator could face up to three years in prison and a fine.