[UPDATED] Batang Kali landslide: poor weather forces rescuers to suspend operations

KUALA LUMPUR – The search-and-rescue operations at the Batang Kali landslide site have been suspended at 5.30pm due to bad weather.

Three of the nine trackers dogs from the K9 Unit were also brought out of the search zones at 5pm.

Meanwhile, the search-and-rescue team has gone over the search zones again, with more than 70% covered.

Selangor Fire and Rescue Department assistant director (operations) Hafisham Mohd Noor told Bernama that today’s search for the lone missing victim is focused in Sector C (Riverside).

“The team today comprised 91 people and nine excavators.”

Several damaged vehicles were also spotted at the incident site while large rocks posed a challenge for the team.

Earlier today, the search for the last victim had resumed at 8am with the assistance of six dogs from the K9 unit, and assets from various agencies after the team had to suspend work at 8pm last night due to stormy weather. 

During a press conference held yesterday afternoon, police confirmed that the number of campers at the site during the tragedy was 92 and not 94 as reported earlier.

Four decomposing bodies were also found at the location yesterday, bringing the death toll up to 30, consisting of 14 women, six men, six boys and four girls. 

The last victim is believed to be the 11-year-old son of an SJK(C) Mun Choong canteen operator. – The Vibes, December 23, 2022