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Malaysia quake traps 160 climbers on Mount Kinabalu Malaysia quake traps climbers on Mount Kinabalu
(about 1 hour later)
Rescue operations are under way to reach tourists trapped on one of South East Asia's highest mountains after a 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck. Scores of climbers are trapped on one of South East Asia's highest mountains after a 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck.
Around 160 are stranded, some injured, on Mount Kinabalu in Malaysia's Sabah state on Borneo island, said the state's tourism minister. Rescue operations are underway on Mount Kinabalu in Malaysia's Sabah state on Borneo island, said the state's tourism minister.
Masidi Manjun said on Twitter that the track was impassable and helicopters could not land due to bad weather. But Masidi Manjun said on Twitter that helicopters could not land due to bad weather.
All climbers have been told to stay put because of the danger of falling rocks. All hikers have been told to stay put because of the danger of falling rocks.
All climbing activity on the mountain has been suspended.All climbing activity on the mountain has been suspended.
The US Geological Survey said the earthquake happened around 07:15 local time (00:15 BST), at a depth of 10m (32ft). The epicentre was 54km (33 miles) from Mt Kinabalu.The US Geological Survey said the earthquake happened around 07:15 local time (00:15 BST), at a depth of 10m (32ft). The epicentre was 54km (33 miles) from Mt Kinabalu.
Mt Kinabalu, which stands at 4,095-metres, is popular with climbers from around the world.Mt Kinabalu, which stands at 4,095-metres, is popular with climbers from around the world.
Many are attracted to the challenging via ferrata climbing route, where cables, metal rungs and bridges are set into the rocks on the steep terrain to help people ascend. Many are attracted to the challenging "via ferrata" climbing route, where cables, metal rungs and bridges are set into the rocks on the steep terrain to help people ascend.
The force of the tremor, which struck earlier on Friday, was so strong it snapped off one of the two "Donkey Ear" rock formations, Mr Manjun said.
Via ferrataVia ferrata
Mr Masidi said that rescuers were still trying to reach climbers. Mr Masidi said that rescuers were still trying to reach the 137 climbers trapped on the mountain top, after giving an earlier figure of 160.
"Other than ongoing rescue efforts our priority is to send food, drinks and warm clothing to those still stranded at the mountain," he said. "Other than ongoing rescue efforts, our priority is to send food, drinks and warm clothing to those still stranded at the mountain," he said.
The force of the tremor, which struck earlier on Friday, was so strong it snapped off one of the two "Donkey Ear" rock formations, he said. One person apparently trapped on the mountain, a Facebook user identified as Charlene Dmp, said:"Currently we're waiting for the helicopter to save us.
One person apparently trapped on the mountain, Charlene Dmp, said on Facebook: "Currently we're waiting for the helicopter to save us.
"We cannot go down for now because there are lots of stones falling, there's no safe route down, and there are still tremors. Thank you for all your concern and prayers.""We cannot go down for now because there are lots of stones falling, there's no safe route down, and there are still tremors. Thank you for all your concern and prayers."
'Broken limbs''Broken limbs'
The New Straits Times cited Sabah Parks as saying they believed that some of the climbers and guides trapped on the mountain were injured.The New Straits Times cited Sabah Parks as saying they believed that some of the climbers and guides trapped on the mountain were injured.
"There are 105 to 109 estimated including climbers, guides and a Sabah Parks officer trapped but this was not on the dangerous area, so we advised them not to move for fear of falling rocks," said parks director Dr Jamili Nais. "There are 105 to 109 estimated including climbers, guides and a Sabah Parks officer trapped but this was not on the dangerous area, so we advised them not to move for fear of falling rocks," said parks director Jamili Nais.
He said a group of about 40 people were also trapped in another area "where four people suffered injuries such as broken limbs [arm and leg] and head injuries". "Another group of 40 people from via ferrata area are also trapped, where four people suffered injuries such as broken limbs (arm and leg) and head injuries," he said.
The Malaysia Insider had earlier reported more than 200 foreign and local climbers were stranded, with 89 unaccounted for, citing the Sabah Fire and Rescue Department.
There were no reports of major damage or injuries from the earthquake in other parts of Sabah.There were no reports of major damage or injuries from the earthquake in other parts of Sabah.
Have you been affected by the quake in Malaysia? Email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk Please remember to leave your phone number if you are happy to be contacted by a BBC journalist. Have you been affected by the quake in Malaysia? Are you on or near Mount Kinabalu? Email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk Please remember to leave your phone number if you are happy to be contacted by a BBC journalist.
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