Batang Kali landslide: Number of victims revised to 92, down from 94, says Selangor police chief

The Star:

Batang Kali landslide: Number of victims revised to 92, down from 94, says Selangor police chief




Selangor police chief Comm Datuk Arjunaidi Mohamed at landslide area near Father's Organic Farm, Batang Kali. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star


HULU SELANGOR: The overall number of victims of the landslide at the Father's Organic Farm campsite in Batang Kali is actually 92 and not 94 as previously reported, says Comm Datuk Arjunaidi Mohamed.

The Selangor police chief said authorities determined the number of victims to be 92 after multiple checks on the registrations at the farm as well as police reports lodged over missing family members.


"There was an overlap of registrations at the farm, that is why we got the initial total number of victims at 94.

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"We actually discovered the error a few days ago but we did not rush to announce it as we needed to do extensive checks.

"We are satisfied the official overall number of victims is 92," he told a press conference at the landslide site on Thursday (Dec 22).

With the latest updated number of victims, there is only one more missing victim yet to be found, he said.

"With the latest four victims discovered today (Dec 22), the death tally of the landslide is 30 victims while those who survived is 61.

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"We are still looking for one more victim - a male child," he added.

Comm Arjunaidi said the total number of victims will stand at 92 unless there are any parties who come forward over their missing family members at the site.

"So far, we have not received any new police reports on the matter," he added.

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As for the search and rescue (SAR) operation on Thursday, Comm Arjunaidi said it had been temporarily stopped due to a heavy downpour.

"We will stop temporarily until the weather and situation permits the operation to resume.

"We have to take into account the safety of the rescue workers," he said.