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Malaysia mountain quake: Two dead and several missing | |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Two people have died and several are missing after an earthquake near Malaysia's highest peak, officials say. | |
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 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 6.0 magnitude earthquake triggered landslides, trapping 137 climbers on the mountain for several hours. | |
Initial rescues efforts were hampered by bad weather, but the group has now made it to safety. | |
Tourism minister Masidi Manjun tweeted: "The 137 climbers have safely arrived at the Park HQ, the last batch at 2.50 am. | |
"We have a challenging task today searching for those missing." | |
Mr Manjun did not specify how many people were still unaccounted for. | |
Police chief Jalaluddin Abdul Rahman confirmed two fatalities, but would not give any further details. | |
The earthquake was so powerful it also snapped off one of Mount Kinabalu's "Donkey's Ear" peaks, Mr Manjun added. | |
Weather conditions prevented rescue helicopters from landing on the mountain earlier on Friday. Many of the climbers had to make their own way down with the help of tour guides and park rangers. | |
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. | 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. | 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. | All activity on the mountain has now been suspended. |
Climbing Mt Kinabalu | Climbing Mt Kinabalu |
The 'conquerable' Mt Kinabalu | The 'conquerable' Mt Kinabalu |
Earlier, one person apparently trapped on the mountainside said on Facebook: "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." |
The woman identified herself as Charlene Dmp. | The woman identified herself as Charlene Dmp. |
The quake also damaged roads and buildings, including schools and a hospital on Sabah's west coast. | 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. |
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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