Landslide: Death toll at 21 – DPM

HULU SELANGOR - A total of 21 victims of the landslide incident in Batang Kali have been pronounced dead as of 7.10pm on Friday.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said so far a total of 12 victims had yet to be found.

"The search for the 12 remaining victims is being actively carried out, and we pray that there will be survivors," he said at a press conference here on Friday.

He said that the police, firemen, and other government agencies had been fully mobilised and the search and rescue (SAR) operation was led by the police.

"As the chairman of the Central Disaster Management Agency, I will continue to monitor the case closely," he said.

Zahid also expressed his condolences to the victim's family.

"The government agencies will do their best to continue the operation to find victims with new technological methods and heavy machinery," he said.

Zahid also said the government requested that camping activities should be halted in areas near hills and river banks.

"The Malaysian Meteorological Department informed us that heavy rain will start tomorrow, especially on the east coast; it is feared that heavy rain will cause water surge," he said.