10 dead, seven trapped in Malaysia’s landslides (Lead)
May 22nd, 2011 - 12:18 am ICT by IANSKuala Lumpur, May 21 (IANS) At least 10 people died and six others were missing as two landslides struck an orphanage Saturday in a village in Malaysia.
Nine of the 10 dead were young boys aged between eight and 18. The other one was 34-year-old man. He is believed to be a warden and died after remaining trapped eight hours in the rubble, Xinhua reported late Saturday evening.
The accident occurred 28 km east of Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia’s Selangor state.
According to district police chief Abdul Rashid Wahab, the victims were among the 49 students and wardens attending a motivational course. They were said to be having lunch at the tent when the landslides struck.
Six boys and a 30-year-old warden were critically injured. Twentyfive others escaped the disaster unscathed.
Rescue efforts were hampered by hours of heavy rain that came after the disaster as the soil was extremely fragile.
“The rescue workers had to dig with hands and other equipment because the soil is very soft due to the rain,” Abdul Rashid told reporters.
The two landslides occurred simultaneously and covered part of the orphanage in sludge.
Those living around the disaster area were urged to evacuate over landslide threats.
Authorities are yet to determine the cause of the landslides, as the rescue work was scheduled to be carried throughout the night.
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