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Malaysia quake: Stranded climbers 'making way down' Malaysia mountain quake: Two dead as survivors attempt to descend
(about 7 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. Two people have died and more than 100 have been left stranded after an earthquake near Malaysia's highest peak, officials say.
Initial attempts to rescue the 137, caught high on Malaysia's Mount Kinabalu, had to be abandoned due to bad weather. The bodies of a local guide and a 12-year-old Singaporean girl were recovered from Mount Kinabalu, on the island of Borneo, local media say.
The tourism minister for Sabah state, Masidi Manjun, tweeted there had been fatalities, without elaborating. The 6.0 magnitude earthquake triggered landslides, trapping 137 climbers on the mountain.
The 6.0 magnitude earthquake triggered landslides, trapping the climbers. Many have been trying to descend with the help of park rangers and guides.
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. Police chief Jalaluddin Abdul Rahman confirmed the two fatalities but would not give any further details.
Malaysian media reported at least one person had died, with rescuers trying to reach victims buried under rocks. Initial attempts to rescue the survivors, some of whom are trapped under rocks, had to be abandoned because of bad weather. Helicopters were unable to land and the climbing route was made dangerous by rocks and boulders.
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. Several of those injured have successfully made it down and many more are expected to reach base camp by Saturday morning, according to Sabah Parks director Jamili Nais.
Mt Kinabalu, which stands at 4,095m, is popular with climbers from around the world. The earthquake was so powerful it also snapped off one of Mount Kinabalu's "Donkey's Ear" peaks.
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 tourism minister for Sabah state said that 32 guides were assisting the climbers 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.
The US Geological Survey said the quake happened at around 07:15 local time (00:15 BST), at a depth of 10km (32,800ft). The epicentre was 54km (33 miles) from Mount Kinabalu, which stands at 4,095m.
Many climbers 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.
All activity on the mountain has now been suspended.
Climbing Mt KinabaluClimbing Mt Kinabalu
The 'conquerable' Mt KinabaluThe '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 on the mountainside 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."
There were no reports of major damage or injuries from the earthquake in other parts of Sabah. The woman identified herself as Charlene Dmp.
The quake also damaged roads and buildings, including schools and a hospital on Sabah's west coast.
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.
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