Malaysia discovers body of the last person missing in campsite landside

KUALA LUMPUR, (Reuters) – Malaysian rescue teams recovered Saturday the body of the last unaccounted person after a landslide destroyed a campsite last week. This brings the death toll to 31.

The landslide took place in the early hours on Dec. 15, at Batang Kali. It is a popular hilly region about 50km (30 mi) north of Kuala Lumpur. Campers were sleeping in their tents when it occurred. Officials said that the landslide was caused by a collapse of a hillside.

According to fire and rescue officials, 14 children and 11 women were among the victims. Out of the initial 92 people trapped by the landslide’s effects, 61 were saved.

According to Hulu Selangor police chief Suffian Abullah, rescue workers found the body of a boy inside a sleeping bag after nine days of searching. The boy was approximately seven years old.

Suffian stated that they believe all victims are now found. However, search operations will continue in order to aid in investigations.

Initial investigations showed that the earth fell to an approximate height of 30m (100 ft), and covered an area around eight acres.

Malaysia is prone to landslides, but they are rarer than in other countries. Flooding is a common occurrence in Malaysia, with over 72,000 people being displaced by torrential rains this year.

(Reporting By Mei Mei Chu; Editing By Hugh Lawson