JAKARTA - The death toll from landslides in Selangor, Malaysia was 18 people including children while sleeping in a tent at a suspected base without permission.
Landslides in Selangor State bordering the capital, Kuala Lumpur, occurred before 03.00 local time (19.00 GMT), tearing the slopes of hills to organic farming, which officials said operated camps illegally.
Among the victims were three children and 10 women, according to the fire department and rescue.
One of the survivors, Teh Lynn Xuan, said one of his brothers was dead and the other was hospitalized.
"I heard loud sounds like thunder, but it was a falling rock," he told News Daily.
"We felt the tents became unstable and the ground fell around us. Fortunately, I was able to get out of the tent and go to a safer place. My mother and I managed to crawl out and save myself."
Leong Jim Meng, another amplifier, said he did not expect landslides to occur, as there has only been light drizzling in recent days.
"My family and I were trapped when the land covered our tents," he said.
"We managed to run into the parking lot and called the authorities. They arrived quite quickly, about 30 minutes later," he said.
The disaster occurred about 50 km (30 miles) north of Kuala Lumpur in Batang Kali, just outside the peak area of the popular Genting Highlands hill, famous for its resorts, waterfalls and natural beauty.
Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri (Hal Ehwal Sabah, Sarawak dan Tugas-Tugas Khas), YB Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali turun padang ke Pos Kawalan Tempat Kejadian (PKTK) bagi melihat pengoperasian usaha mencari dan menyelamat baki mangsa kejadian tanah runtuh jalan… pic.twitter.com/JmIizZ9WB6
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The soil fell from an altitude of about 30 meters (100 feet) and covered an area of about one acre (0.4 hectares), according to the state director of the fire and rescue department.
Initial investigations showed about 450,000 cubic meters of soil had collapsed, according to Minister of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
There were 94 people trapped in the landslide but 61 people survived, with 15 people missing, according to the Malaysian National Disaster Management Agency.
Eight people were hospitalized, including a pregnant woman, while others suffered injuries ranging from minor injuries to suspected spinal cord injuries, Health Minister Zaliha Mustafa said.
Meanwhile, the police chief of Suffian Abdullah district said all those killed were Malaysians, including a about five-year-old child. Nearly 400 personnel were involved in rescue missions, he said.
Images posted on Father's Organic Farm's Facebook page show an agricultural house in a small valley, with the area where the tent can be established. The owner did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Separately, the Minister of Development of the Nga Regional Government, Kor Ming, told reporters the owner was allowed to operate organic farming, but had not yet applied for permission to run three camp spots in the area.
If found guilty of violating the law, the owner could be jailed for up to three years or a fine of up to 50,000 ringgit, Nga said, adding he had ordered camps near rivers, hill slopes and other high-risk areas across the country to be closed for seven days. days.
Local television footage showed a result of a large landslide through a steep forest area beside the road, while images on social media showed rescue workers climbing thick mud, large trees, and other debris.
"I pray that the missing victims can be found safely," tweeted Minister Nik Nazmi.
Selangor is the country's most prosperous state and has experienced landslides before, often associated with forest and land clearing.
It is known, landslides usually occur in Malaysia, but usually only after heavy rains. Floods often occur, with about 21,000 people displaced last year due to heavy rains in seven states.
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