Reuters
More than 130 people are trapped on Malaysia’s Mount Kinabalu following a 6.0-magnitude earthquake that rocked parts of the Malaysian state of Sabah on Friday (June 5).
Foreign and domestic hikers flock to Sabah to climb the 4,095-metre (13,435 feet) mountain, where at least 137 people were trapped, the state’s fire and rescue department told Reuters.
So far 52 climbers had made it down safely, the public relations officer for Sabah Fire and Rescue department, said.
All climbing activities at Mount Kinabalu have been cancelled.
Climbers from 16 countries had been on the peak, including 117 Malaysians, 38 Singaporeans, five Americans, four Dutch, three British, two French and two Australians.
There were also tourists from Belgium, Thailand, the Philippines, Kazakhstan, India, New Zealand, South Korea, Denmark and China.
Media had reported one or two deaths in the quake and an official said there had been rumours of five to 10, but none has been confirmed.
Officials said, and media pictures showed, that the mountain’s landmark Donkey’s Ears twin peaks had been badly damaged in the quake.
Several rescue teams and villagers were searching for alternative access routes, officials said, but a helicopter search had to be called off because of poor weather.
Drops of food, water and warm clothing were being prepared.
The U.S. Geological survey said the epicenter of the 6-magnitude quake, which struck in the morning, was about 54 km (33 miles) from the state capital of Kota Kinabalu.
Reuters