A horrific landslide on an unlicensed campsite inc Malaysia has wiped out an estimated 23 people and rescuers have found the bodies of a mother and son.
The two bodies were found buried under a metre of mud, but Selangor state fire chief Norazam Khamis told reporters there was a slim chance of finding survivors if they clung onto branches or rocks.
Police have said 94 people were sleeping at the camping site on an organic farm early Friday when around 3 acres of the area was suddenly engulfed in mud and dirt from the road above.
Most were families on holiday during the school holidays and 23 victims included six children and 13 women.
Seven people were hospitalised and dozens more have been rescued unharmed.
One 22-year-old camper, Teh Lynn Xuan, said one of her brothers was killed and another was being treated for injuries in hospital.
She told Berita Harian local newspaper that she "heard a loud sound like thunder, but it was the rocks falling".
Excavators were deployed to clear mud and fallen trees and rescue dogs were sent to sniff out possible signs of life and cadavers.
Officials said an estimated 450,000 cubic metres of debris — enough to fill 180 Olympic-sized swimming pools — hit the campsite.
Officials cannot pinpoint the exact cause of the landslide, which came without warning, but believed it could be due to underground water movement while the yearend monsoon rains made the soil unstable.
Ms Xuan continued: "We felt the tents becoming unstable and soil was falling around us. Luckily, I was able to leave the tent and go to some place safer. My mother and I managed to crawl out and save ourselves."
The rescue operation is ongoing with around 400 people involved.
According to Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, minister of natural resources, environment and climate change, an initial investigation showed an embankment of about 450,000 cubic metres of earth had collapsed.
The campsite operator has government approval to run an organic farm but has no licence for camping activities.
Mr Ahmad said the camp operator could face up to three years in jail or fined up to 50,000 ringgit (£9,291) if they are found guilty of not having a licence.
News agency Bernama tweeted that all campsites and water recreation areas around Batang Kali had been ordered to close immediately until further notice, citing the minister of home affairs.
The region is in its rainy season but no heavy rain or earthquakes were recorded overnight.
