12 campers are killed and more than 20 are missing in a landslide in Malaysia

In Malaysia, a landslide struck early on Friday, killing at least 12 people as they slept at a campsite, according to officials. Search crews were scouring the thick muck and felled trees for the more than 20 people still missing.

The state fire and rescue service said in a statement that the landslide in Selangor state, on the outskirts of the capital, Kuala Lumpur, occurred at approximately 3 a.m. (1900 GMT), tearing down a slope into an organic farm with camping facilities.

Teh Lynn Xuan, 22, claimed that when the avalanche struck, she and 40 other campers were together. One of her brothers, according to her, passed away, while another is hospitalized.

I heard a thunder-like sound, but it was actually the sound of boulders falling “She spoke to the Berita Haria newspaper in Malay. “The tents started to shake, and dirt started to fall all around us. Fortunately, I was able to escape the tent and find a more secure location. I was able to crawl out and save my mother, who was also with me.
According to the fire and rescue service, more than 90 persons were caught in the landslide, and 59 have been discovered safe, with 22 still missing.

Eight others were hospitalized in addition to the 12 fatalities, it said.

According to health minister Zaliha Mustafa, one of those admitted to the hospital was pregnant, while others suffered from minor cuts to a possible spine damage.

All of the deceased, including a youngster of around 5 years old, were Malaysians, according to district police commander Suffian Abdullah.

According to him, about 400 personnel from various agencies had been sent in, and search and rescue operations were still running strong.

According to the state director of the fire and rescue service, the landslide covered an area of around one acre (0.4 hectare) and descended from a height of 30 meters (100 ft) above the campsite.