This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-33017758

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Malaysia quake traps climbers on Mount Kinabalu Malaysia quake: Stranded climbers 'making way down'
(about 1 hour later)
Scores of climbers face a night stranded on one of South East Asia's highest mountains after a 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck. A group of climbers are making their way down one of South East Asia's highest peaks after being stranded by an earthquake, officials say.
Rescue operations are under way on Mount Kinabalu in Malaysia's Sabah state on Borneo island, said the state's tourism minister. The 137 were "cautiously" heading to a guest house high on Malaysia's Mount Kinabalu, tourism minister for Sabah state Masidi Manjun tweeted.
But Masidi Manjun said on Twitter that helicopters could not land due to bad weather. Earlier rescue attempts with helicopters had to be abandoned due to bad weather.
The hikers have been told to stay put because of the danger of falling rocks. The 6.0 magnitude earthquake triggered landslides, trapping the climbers.
No deaths have yet been reported, but the quake was powerful enough to snap off one of Mount Kinabalu's distinctive "Donkey's Ear" peaks.
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 at 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 at 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 4,095m, is popular with climbers from around the world.Mt Kinabalu, which stands at 4,095m, 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. Mr Manjun said that 32 guides were assisting the tourists on their way down, with the group moving "cautiously due to (a) damaged trail".
'No safe route' But he warned they would have to descend fast with night soon falling.
The state minister 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 on the mountain," he said."Other than ongoing rescue efforts, our priority is to send food, drinks and warm clothing to those still stranded on the mountain," he said.
One person apparently trapped, a Facebook user identified as Charlene Dmp, said: "Currently we're waiting for the helicopter to save us. Some of the group had climbed to the summit to watch the sunrise as the earthquake struck.
"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."
Climbing Mt KinabaluClimbing Mt Kinabalu
'Broken limbs' Earlier, one person apparently trapped, a Facebook user identified as Charlene Dmp, said: "Currently we're waiting for the helicopter to save us.
The New Straits Times cited Sabah Parks as saying they believed that some of the climbers and guides trapped on the mountain were injured. "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."
"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. The New Straits Times cited officials from Sabah Parks, the custodian of Mount Kinabalu national park, as saying they believed that some of the climbers and guides on the mountain were injured.
"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.
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? 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.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.
Share your pictures with us, email yourpics@bbc.co.uk, upload them here, or tweet @BBC_HaveYourSay.Share your pictures with us, email yourpics@bbc.co.uk, upload them here, or tweet @BBC_HaveYourSay.
You could also send us pictures on WhatsApp. Our number is: +44 7525 900971.You could also send us pictures on WhatsApp. Our number is: +44 7525 900971.
Read our terms and conditions.Read our terms and conditions.