Four dead after landslide in Ampang

A landslide in Taman Bukit Permai, Ampang, yesterday evening claimed four lives while another victim escaped with light injuries in an incident that also affected 15 homes and 10 vehicles.

The search and rescue (SAR) operation for the five victims began when nine firemen from the Pandan Fire and Rescue station arrived at the scene after receiving a distress call at 5.54pm.

The first victim, an 84-year-old, man was pulled out at 6.54pm. He escaped with minor injuries but his wife was found dead at 7.53pm with her body pulled out at 9.15pm.

About an hour and a half after that, at 10.58pm, the body of the third victim, a male resident, was extricated from the debris.

The SAR operation ended at 2am after Ampang Jaya district police chief ACP Mohamad Farouk Eshak confirmed that rescuers had found the bodies of the last two victims, both males, one of whom was a worker of Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Air Selangor).

Their bodies were found at 12.46am and 1.59am respectively.

Selangor Fire and Rescue Department director Norazam Khamis, however, said they would use K-9 Unit tracker dogs at the site of the landslide to ensure there are no other victims.

The victims, who were brought to Ampang Hospital, have yet to be identified.

A temporary relief centre was also opened at the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council hall in Taman Mega Jaya, but checks by Bernama found that no residents from the affected area had moved there as of 3am.

During the incident, residents in the area heard a loud bang caused by two landslides that occurred in succession during heavy rain. The incident was also caught on camera as it happened.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department had forecast heavy evening showers until March 14.