Twenty-four people were buried alive when a landslide hit an orphanage in Kampung Gahal in Hulu Langat, today.
The victims were mostly orphans and staff of the Rumah Anak-anak Yatim dan Anak-anak Hidayah Madrasah Al-Taqwa in Jalan Sungai Semungkis which was struck by a landslide.
As at 6.30pm, nine orphans had been pulled out of the debris by a search and rescue team from the Fire and Rescue Department, police and the Civil Defence Department.
Selangor Police Chief, Tun Hisan Tun Hamzah said the first three victims, aged between 11 and 14, died at the scene and their remains were sent to the Ampang Hospital for autopsy. (As of 10.47 pm, the death toll is at 6.)
Six others who were injured, aged between 11 and 17, were sent to Kajang Hospital for treatment.
“We learnt that two landslides occurred simultaneously at the orphanage. All the victims did not have time to escape,” he said at a press conference at the orphanage for boys.
He said the body of the first victim was pulled out from the debris at about 4.30pm while the second body was retrieved at 5pm and the third at 6.10pm.
It is understood that the landslide occurred at about 2.30pm when all the children at the home were in the multipurpose hall at the
orphanage.
– Bernama
Yalinie Mathan
CJMY
Maran Perianen
