KUALA KUBU BARU: At least 21 campers have lost their lives and 12 others are still missing after a huge landslide struck a campsite within the grounds of an organic farm in Batang Kali here.
In the predawn incident yesterday, nearly half a million cubic metres of soil slid down a slope that started tilting downwards from the edge of the Batang Kali-Genting Highlands trunk road, otherwise known as Route B66, a road maintained by the Selangor state government.
“The bodies were believed to be that of a mother and child. We believe the two were originally at either the Hilltop or Farm View area, and their bodies were carried by the landslide towards the riverside area,” said Fire and Rescue Department spokesman. It was understood that the area has been soaked for days by rain over the past few days, as the ongoing northeast monsoon led to greater-than-usual rainfall.
Another victim, 57-year-old Leong Jim Meng, said the landslide was unexpected as the weather had been generally fine for the last few days.“We were trapped when the earth covered our tent. I managed to free myself and headed to the car park to call the authorities,” he said.
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