ASEANews Headlines: TANAH RATA, Malaysia- Killer slide in Cameron HIghlands claims three lives

TANAH RATA: Three farm workers, two of them women, were killed when a landslide buried the hut they were in at Rumah Kongsi Kg 3, Pos Terisu, Batu 49, Kuala Terla, Kampung Raja today.

The victims were identified as Myanmar nationals Aung Thong, 23, his wife Naing Vai, 23, and Mu Aye Aye, 34.

Pahang Fire and Rescue Department deputy director Mohd Sani Harul said the landslide occurred on higher ground and the victims, who were taking shelter under a shed, were buried alive.

Meanwhile, Cameron Highlands police chief DSP Ashari Abu Samah said the landslide occurred at 3am following heavy rain from midnight.

Ashari said investigations revealed that the victims were sleeping in the shed, which was illegally constructed at the bottom of a steep slope.

He said police were alerted at 10.40am before a team of rescuers including from the Fire and Rescue Department rushed to the scene to conduct search and rescue operations.

“On arrival at 11.30am the team found two of the victims had been pulled out by their friends but were pronounced dead.

“The body of the third victim was found at 1.20pm,” he said.

All the bodies were sent to the Tanah Rata Hospital for post-mortem.