KUALA LUMPUR – The finding of two bodies yesterday and the night before has offered some clues in the resumption of the search-and-rescue of the remaining seven victims at the landslide site in Batang Kali.
Fire and Rescue Department director (Operations and Rescue Division) Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad said the findings have reinvigorated the rescue team into stepping up their operations.
However, he cannot estimate how long it will take to find the seven victims.
“For sure the rescue team is enthusiastic today as they continue to locate the remaining victims who are still missing around the area where the two bodies were found,” he was quoted as saying by Utusan Malaysia.
The rescue operation resumed at 8am today after it was suspended twice yesterday due to rain. Hulu Selangor district police chief Suffian Abdullah had said the operation was suspended due to unfavourable weather and for safety reasons.
The search team found the body of an adult man at 11.16am yesterday in Sector B (Farmview camp) of the area, bringing the death toll to 26. The man was also found hugging a dog while another dog was found nearby.
The night before at 11.20pm, rescuers found a girl’s body, estimated aged between 6 and 10, had on a pink outfit and was found with several suitcases and a laptop.
The remains of the two victims have been sent to Sg Buloh Hospital for post-mortem and identification while the dogs were sent to the Veterinary Department.
The remains of the girl found late Tuesday night are being brought out of the Sg Buloh Hospital at 8.33am today in a hearse van.
The landslide which occurred at 2.42am last Friday has seen 61 victims being rescued, while seven others are still missing. It was reported that 94 people were involved in the tragedy. – The Vibes, December 22, 2022
