BATANG KALI: Many of the bodies recovered from the landslide in Batang Kali yesterday were found buried around 1.5-metres deep.
Selangor Fire and Rescue Department director Datuk Norazam Khamis said the bodies were located in various states, with some only found after a hand or leg were discovered pointing out of the soil.
"The incident happened at night while the victims were sleeping so they may not have been able to escape," he told reporters at the scene here today.
Norazam had earlier admitted that the chances of finding more survivors were "very slim" at best, as the search and rescue operation had entered the second day.
He said there is a possibility that the remaining victims might have ran out of oxygen, with their bodies being buried under the soil. However, he said survival was possible if they were stuck between trees and rocks where there are openings, which could enable them to breathe,
Meanwhile, asked about the duration of the search and rescue operation, he said they will press on for a week after which a discussion would be held with the police to determine the next course of action.
"We will do our best to retrieve the remaining 12 victims,
"We are praying for something positive from today's operation," he added.
The SAR operation has been narrowed to two sectors.
Around 135 personnel from multiple agencies are involved in the SAR mission today, a significant downsize from around 700 personnel yesterday.
Norazam said this was done for safety reasons as more people could result in greater soil movement.
They are also using two excavators to dig out the thick earth to make it easier to find the remaining victims.
The landslide struck the Father's Organic Farm inb Batang Kali around 2am on early Friday, pushing 450,000 cubic meters of earth down towards campsites below.
More than 90 people were believed to be at the camping grounds at the time. These included families, as well as a group of teachers from SJKC Mun Choong, who were on an unofficial excursion.
The authorities have so far recovered 21 bodies. Twelve people are still missing.
The search and rescue operation was temporarily halted at 4am but resumed at 7.30am today.
