By Nasuha Badrul Huzaini
SHAH ALAM, Dec 16 — Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari offered his condolences to the bereaved families of the Batang Kali landslide incident.
He said according to the Selangor State Health Department, the incident has claimed 16 lives while 77 victims have been rescued by the Search and Rescue team, as of 1pm today.
“The search and rescue works are underway and various state government agencies have gathered at the location since early this morning. We will channel the assistance needed from us through the coordination of the Selangor State Disaster Management Unit with related agencies.
“We hope the coordination would smoothen the rescue process and more missing victims could be traced as soon as possible,” he said in a statement today.
Amirudin said he will visit the scene tonight along with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at about 8pm and prayed for the safety of the search and rescue team.
“The search and rescue operation is being intensified, involving 446 personnel led by the Selangor Fire and Rescue Department and assisted by various government agencies in terms of equipment and manpower,” he added.
The landslide incident occurred near the camping site at the Father’s Organic Farm, Gohtong Jaya at about 2.30am.
Based on the information received, there were 94 individuals, including workers, at the location when the landslide occurred.
