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Malaysia quake: Stranded climbers 'making way down' | Malaysia quake: Stranded climbers 'making way down' |
(about 2 hours later) | |
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. | 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. |
Initial attempts to rescue the 137, caught high on Malaysia's Mount Kinabalu, had to be abandoned due to bad weather. | |
The tourism minister for Sabah state, Masidi Manjun, tweeted there had been fatalities, without elaborating. | |
The 6.0 magnitude earthquake triggered landslides, trapping the climbers. | The 6.0 magnitude earthquake triggered landslides, trapping the climbers. |
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. | |
Malaysian media reported at least one person had died, with rescuers trying to reach victims buried under rocks. | |
The US Geological Survey said the earthquake happened at around 07:15 local time (00:15 BST), at a depth of 10km (32,800ft). 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 10km (32,800ft). 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. |
Mr Manjun said that 32 guides were assisting the tourists on their way down, with the group moving "cautiously due to (a) damaged trail". | Mr Manjun said that 32 guides were assisting the tourists on their way down, with the group moving "cautiously due to (a) damaged trail". |
"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. |
Some of the group had climbed to the summit to watch the sunrise as the earthquake struck. | Some of the group had climbed to the summit to watch the sunrise as the earthquake struck. |
Climbing Mt Kinabalu | Climbing Mt Kinabalu |
The 'conquerable' Mt Kinabalu | |
Earlier, one person apparently trapped, a Facebook user identified as Charlene Dmp, said: "Currently we're waiting for the helicopter to save us. | Earlier, one person apparently trapped, a Facebook user identified as Charlene Dmp, said: "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." |
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. |
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