THE death toll from the Batang Kali landslide is now 21, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.

He said rescuers are now looking for 12 other victims and hoped that they are safe.

The total number of people on the campsite, based on the registration record by the operator, was 94.

So far, the authorities have rescued 54 people, with seven, who suffered injuries, requiring treatment at hospitals.

“As the Federal Disaster Management Committee chairman, I, along with all agency heads here, will monitor the situation from time to time and will update the media and the public on developments,” Zahid said, after a visit to the scene and a briefing on the incident.

Also present were Works Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi and Deputy Finance Minister Ahmad Maslan. 

Zahid said according to preliminary findings and investigations by the Public Works Department and Lands and Mines Department, there were two underground streams at the location of the incident.

“Let us pray there are more survivors,” he said.

Zahid said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will officially announce government assistance to the families of the landslide victims.

Earlier today, Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said the landslide was due to slope failure.

According to the minister, based on the data received, there was a slope failure 500m in length, 200m wide and 8m deep.

“The volume is 450,000 cubic metres,” he said at the site. – December 16, 2022.