Seven missing in Keningau landslide

Seven people including three children are missing, believed to be buried in a landslide in Kampung Sungai Labau, Sook near here at noon yesterday.

Keningau and Tenom Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) junior staff officer Bakri Isin said the Keningau APM Alpha Squad received a telephone call from the Keningau Police Station asking for assistance in the search and rescue operations.

He said police received a complaint from the manager of an oil palm plantation in the village that the landslide occurred at about 12.19 noon and hit the homes of the estate workers.

"Initially, the complainant said 11 people were missing. But when APM members arrived at the location, the complainant said four victims (of the 11) had been found safe," he said today.

Bakri said the victims who were still missing were two female teenagers aged 17 years, two male teenagers aged 13, and three children aged 8 years, all believed to be Philippine nationals.

He also said a bridge connecting the road to the location had been damaged, forcing the four APM members to look for alternative routes.

Others involved in the operations were four members of the Kinabatangan police station and two officers and eight personnel of the Fire and Rescue Department.

Meanwhile, APM officer at the Tongod and Telupid Unit, junior staff officer Adrian Dauli said the unit was also monitoring the situation.

"We have mobilised Tongod and Telupid APM logistics and assets with five staff to strengthen the operations," he said. - BERNAMA