Batang Kali Campsites Were Unlicensed, 16 Lives Taken So Far by Deadly Landslide

By Karissa Lund  •  16 Dec 2022 in News

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The three campsites buried by a landslide in Batang Kali that has claimed 16 lives so far, were unlicensed says local government and development minister Nga Kor Ming. The campsite operators face a jail term of up to 3 years and/or an RM50,000 fine if convicted, according to FMT.

ICYMI, around 62 victims have been rescued as of 10.40 am with seven others injured, Malaysia’s National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) said, from the campsite at Father’s Organic Farm. Search and rescue operations are ongoing with 17 people still unaccounted for.

In a press conference at Selayang Hospital, Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the number of fatalities at 11 am stood at 13. However, the latest death toll has risen up to 16 and among those confirmed dead are believed to be one 5-year-old boy, six women and one man.

Around 94 victims in total were affected, most of them local residents including workers at the campsites. Search and rescue operations have been going on since about 3 am today after authorities received a distress call at 2.24 am.

For now, authorities have suspended all recreational outdoor activities in Batang Kali, near Genting Highlands, Pahang following the tragedy. Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail announced the freeze on activities after visiting the site today.

Meanwhile, Selangor infrastructure and agriculture committee chairman Izham Hashim said a forensic investigation would be carried out to determine the cause of the landslide, which took place near Genting Highlands.

He said there had been no signs of an impending landslide as it had not rained heavily in the area for the past two days.

“There was no warning (signs), no cracks or fallen trees,” he said, adding the slope had also been considered safe.

Semua tapak perkhemahan, kawasan rekreasi air di sekitar Batang Kali diarah tutup serta-merta sehingga diberitahu kelak – Menteri Dalam Negeri

Video : Lokasi tanah runtuh di Father’s Organic Farm, Gohtong Jaya, Batang Kali. pic.twitter.com/dwkXWjpinF

— Mohd Redzuan Abdul Manap (@redzuanNewsMPB) December 16, 2022